X is for...

     is for x-ray.




Some might call it luck, others chance.  Quite frankly it seems a small miracle to me that during the years of my life I have never broken a bone.  I cheered, I tumbled, and to be quite honest, I'm fairly clumsy.  The fact that all of my bones have escaped unscathed leaves me feeling very fortunate.  While I've never had to endure the painful experience of a broken bone, I've had classmates, friends, and students who have arrived on the scene with a cast and story to tell.  You see, while going about their daily lives, something had gone amiss.  Although perhaps on the outside they seemed fine, further medical attention suggested otherwise.  An x-ray revealed the reality on the inside although the outer may have clouded or tried to cover it up.   

My bones may certainly be intact, but this actually is my story after all.  I bet if you are honest with yourself, it's your story too.  Every day we work our hardest to have it all together.  You have a great career.  You just bought a new house.  You have an amazing boyfriend/girlfriend or a loving spouse.  Your brand new baby is healthy and beautiful.  The kids are on the honor roll at school.  You just received a call that you landed your dream job.  You fill your evenings and weekends with social obligations and friends.  You work out relentlessly at the gym to get the fit and toned physique that others envy.  You volunteer and give your time to others because you want to make a difference.  Imagine with me for a moment, then, that we were each subjected to a life x-ray.  When the doctor held it up to the light, would you want an audience to see it?  If you're anything like me, you'd probably be strategically placing yourself in front of the image or switching off the light.  "Never mind, Doc.  Don't worry about it.  Life's great. I'm doing well.  It's all dandy.  Thanks for your time and see you later!"  Although the routines of our lives may have others convinced, we all know the mess to be found inside.  With this honest realization, its seems that people fall into one of two camps: having it all together on the outside is good enough and most important or they'll keep working and striving on their own until they are good enough to make the inner match the outer.

Can I suggest to you a third and, I believe, better choice?  First of all, it's important to recognize that we all are missing the mark.  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23.  To be complacent and think that our condition is good enough just isn't true.  We are not living up to the potential we were created to have.  How then do we tackle this problem?  "Let's just try harder.  Let's get to work!" many rally and cry out.  Unfortunately no matter how earnest our efforts, we simply cannot prove our worth and make ourselves right by our own means.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.  If we realize that the status quo isn't good enough and that we can't fix the problem on our own, we come to the understanding that surrendering to God and letting His sacrifice cover us is the true option.  An yet still, this is so hard for many.  How could we ever approach Jesus with a heart condition like it is?  We know we can cover it up for others, but He can see right through the charade.  Here's the good and beautiful news my friends.  Breathe easy.  He sees you as you are, He loves you as you are, and He bids you to come to Him just as you are.  Hear this, His own words: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  Turn the light back on, and pull the x-ray back out for inspection.  Calling all patients who, when honest with themselves, understand that they can't do it on their own.  The Great Physician came for you and He came for me.  Would you allow Him to do a healing work in your life and to make you anew?  It's your choice.  The Doctor is in.