Exposure

“The heart can hide what it wishes to ignore.” -Anonymous

Jesus takes me for a walk at night. The remote desert sky offers a display of stars that is mesmerizing. I stand and stare upwards in awe of God’s creation. Although the desert nights can bring extreme temperatures requiring shelter, with Jesus I don’t feel vulnerable or susceptible to harm. 

The darkness of the desert reminds me of my childhood home where we had a photographic darkroom. There was an enlarger, film trays, chemicals, and all the materials needed to develop black-and-white film. Not a glimmer of light could enter this room, or the undeveloped negatives would be damaged.

At times the heart seems similar to film, hidden in a rigid casing, containing lots of beauty waiting to be exposed. The negatives can only become beautiful photographs with a series of steps. The first step is to pry open the canister in the dark and remove the film. Then the process of development can begin.

I wonder what beauty lies within my heart, waiting to be exposed. I ponder Jesus’ heart and imagine it is full of beauty and love. I want a heart like Jesus and wish to love as He loves. I realize that the journey into the heart is long and involves peeling back many layers. 

“The heart is good at hiding what it wishes to ignore.” I ask Jesus how my heart can be more fully developed to love as He loves. He looks at me and says, “Extend mercy instead of judgment.” I sit with these words for a while and ask myself where have I been quick to judge.

The beauty of time spent with Jesus in His love, is that His love and mercy guide me into greater self-awareness. Jesus reminds me of the Fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He says, “a hidden heart cannot expose the fruits held within.” It is a lifelong challenge to open one’s heart and practice the Fruits of the Spirit.

Exposing the heart can be painful and take time, but I want Jesus to continue to develop my heart and bring light to the hidden places. I know He holds my heart gingerly in His hands, and exposure and healing will occur to the extent I am willing to allow. ‘Jesus, open my heart and develop it just like the film. I want Your beauty in me to be revealed.’

Scripture: 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 )

Reflection:

1. As you spend time with Jesus, ask Him to begin exposing the layers of your heart. Record what you see, sense or feel.
2. Ask Jesus to reveal the abundant beauty that resides in your heart.
3. As you close your eyes and spend time with Jesus, ask Jesus to give you, as a gift, one of the fruits of the Spirit. Record your experience.