Search Me: Inviting God to Examine Our Hearts - a 3-Day Devotional With Darla BaltazarSample

Renewing Our Mind

When I was working on “Search Me,” it was so difficult to get any ideas out. In fact, the resistance in me was so strong that it was difficult to even just sit down and work on it.

Every day, I was faced with a choice. I knew that I could keep running away from it for momentary relief. But by doing that, I also knew that I would only get tired from running. My other option was to sit down and submit to God.

Funny enough, I did both. I still ran away from Him, and when I got tired, I submitted to Him, and confessed my weakness. But perhaps it was because of my helpless state that what happened next struck me so powerfully. He exposed the root of my scattered mind: fear.

I realized that I was so afraid to disappoint people, and that I had imposed a standard of perfection upon myself. Not only was I afraid to present anything less than perfect, but I couldn’t even entertain any idea the Spirit gave me because I was comparing it against a worldly standard.

It was an ugly revelation: a girl who considers herself a Christian artist struggled to write a song for God because of her crippling fear of man. As unpleasant as it was to admit, it was necessary to expose this, as it is with all the other idols of our hearts. Fear of others, greed, slothfulness, and pride are common idols that hinder us from serving God in a way that truly pleases Him.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

Why do I worry? It only takes away my peace of mind.

If God is for me, I only live by His design

The song ended up becoming a prayer and a pep talk to myself to get over my fear of man and instead fix my mind on God. The truth is that God is not concerned about what we do, how busy we appear, or how much we accomplish. And if God Himself cares more about our hearts, then shouldn’t that push us to shift our priorities as well?

Invite God to examine your heart today, and pray that He helps you confront your fears and idols for what they truly are. Rest in the fact that Jesus does not condemn you, but deeply understands your struggles. He wants to help you turn away from your idols, renew your mind by meditating on God’s Word, and applying what it says.