Stepping Stones: Heart Check Time

Transformational Thought

A friend and Christian counselor once shared with me a very powerful analogy that most of us have heard in one form or another. He said that we are all born with this vacuum tube in our core. It is empty and by its very nature, a vacuum (negative pressure), has the constant need to be filled.

That vacuum tube, that “void”, is always intended to be filled with Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. But if we don’t fill it with Him, the powerful vacuum has to suck in something, so it sucks in all the other junk lying around close by our heart. And once filled with junk, our heart has no room for our Lord and Savior. Having this junk in our core leaves us feeling empty and incomplete, so we continue letting quick-fix junk get sucked into that void to try to relieve these troubling feelings.

Until we fill that core vacuum with Him, and live close to Him, we will continue to feel empty, insecure, overwhelmed, and incomplete. What have you allowed into your core to be your “savior” when you are in a jam or struggle? Is it really saving you, or is it just contributing to your slow demise?

This impersonating savior, false hope, is Satan’s answer for your needs … to be important … loved … in control … secure … loved … appreciated … valued … included … unique ... pretty … you fill in the __________. Relying on these impersonators to save you will actually cripple you over time. Satan conveniently leaves that fact out of his sales pitch.

Today, look at your wrong decisions. Examine closely why you made that decision. That is where you will see what got sucked into the center of your heart … what is guiding your decisions. If you are honest, you will be surprised at some of the junk you allow to seep in and exert subtle, yet dramatic influence on your decisions. Dump the junk and intentionally allow God’s truth to fill you up with his loving grace and mercy … for only then will you be complete … only then will you truly be who He designed you to be. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I often feel incomplete, as if some very important part of me is missing. When I get this feeling, I often respond in unproductive and even sinful ways: foraging for food, fantasy, entertainment, control, a drink, caffeine, or prideful recognition to soothe my unrest. All the while, You are with me, patiently waiting for me to let You in. When I continue to go my own way, seeking satisfaction where there is none, I become increasingly frustrated. This agitated condition makes it seem harder and harder to turn back to You, the only One who can complete me. I cry out to You today, I cry out, “Help me, Jesus!” I pray this in the name of the Ultimate Vacuum Filler, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

The Truth
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:4

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
James 4:7

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:14

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12