There are crevices in our heart that we must be particularly intentional towards making sure they remain sealed. Occasionally, situations will happen or things will be said that expose them, causing them to leak out triggers, uncomfortable emotions, hurting thoughts and emotions, and both wanted/unwanted desires and longings that tend to leave us in a state of suffering. We either thought we were healed from them or we avoid them. These cracks are small and so minute that we tend to minimize their impact on our lives and try to push past the moment of our own strength, but what if I told you that we are not meant to push past it? What if I told you that these are opportunities of surrender and the deliverance you seek?

Recently the crevices of my heart started to leak, causing me to engage in behaviors I thought I was done with and thoughts I believed I was removed from. Filled with anguish and the weariness of this sudden relapse, I made a desperate plea to Jesus for help and understanding, what He met with instead was strategy and deliverance. As I sat there pouring out my concerns and burdens about the possibility of returning to a place of captivity, I identified that this was my chance to let Jesus in more. There are always more of us for Him to come into and transform, as there are always more of Him for us to discover and learn. So, I prayed and I cried. Then I sat, listened and I waited. I confessed that these crevices existed and asked God where they came from and why are they manifesting, and He answered, “From wounds of your past and desires of your flesh.” His word say that our flesh will always be at war with the Spirit (Galatians 5:17) so I instantly submitted to this truth and resisted the lie that I will never have to deal with the dealings of my flesh again. I cried, “Lord, this is your truth, so help me. Help me not to choose this path of my flesh and desires over you. How can I get past this while remaining honorable to you?” His simple response, “Let me in.”

There is a beautiful Japanese art known as kintsugi, in which gold is used to repair broken pieces of pottery, leaving the final product as a new type of masterpiece. This is what I was experiencing as I invited Jesus into these broken pieces of my heart. With every confession and acknowledgement of a crack, I felt as He moved through each nook and cranny, filling them up like gold. Not long after, there was an overflow, not of my pain and fear, but of His love and completion. I was overcome with peace, joy, hope and gratitude of His very present nearness and eagerness to make me whole. I was overwhelmed with His faithfulness and intentional step towards me, and His very specific interest in being the One who heals me.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me". Revelation 3:20

What are the crevices of your heart that you have not yet surrendered or avoid due to unwanted pain and suffering? What are the feelings, thoughts, and memories that tend to sneak up on you, leaving you vulnerable to the enemy’s vices? Will you let Jesus in? I urge you, do not bypass these moments of offered deliverance and healing, invite Him in. Let Him fill every crack with His presence. He will complete the work He has started in you (Philippians 1:6). Take it as a sign that as these unwanted thoughts, memories and feelings arise, this is not to deter you or discourage you, but to alarm you of work still needing to be completed, and Jesus is providing you the opportunity to choose Him as the contractor of your heart. So, be encouraged, I assure you, He is all the gold you will need.

Want more on the beauty of Kintsugi? Read my post, “Kintsugi” here on https://remainencouraged.squarespace.com/posts/kintsugi.