Recently, I’ve been reading through The Desire of Ages. I stumbled across a part in chapter 17 last night that struck me. This chapter is about Nicodemus and his secret night meeting with Jesus. I really like the part where Jesus used the analogy of the wind. He told Nicodemus that even though we see the leaves and branches moving, we can’t actually see the wind. Ellen White says the same is true of the work of the Spirit on someone’s heart. She wrote, “When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life” (DA, pg. 173). We can’t see the Spirit of God, but we can see a changed life.
This started the gears turning in my head. I have accepted Jesus and believe that He has saved me. But does God’s Spirit live in my heart? Has my life been changed? I know that I want Him to possess my heart. But do I realize the consequences that will follow that decision? Do I really want my life to be transformed?
It seems like an obvious answer. Of course I want God to change my life. But sometimes I forget about all of the “little sins” that would have to be removed from my life as well. Do I really want to give God control over the types of books I read or the movies I watch? Do I want to let Him decide how I spend my free time? These seem like miniscule details but all of these would have to be addressed before my life would be fully transformed.
I’ve heard a story before that compares my heart to a house. When Jesus comes over, He wants to see everything. Not just the nice rooms that I’ve cleaned especially for Him. He wants to see that closet in the back where all of my dirty laundry has been shoved to be washed later. He wants to see were I’ve hidden all of my contrary thoughts and actions under the bed. He offers to clean my house for me, but Jesus doesn’t do a surface job. He cleans every nook and cranny, in the closet and under the bed. I know I can’t clean the house alone, but if I want Jesus’ help, He wants access to all of my heart.
So now that I’ve let Him into my heart, it’s time for us to get busy. Those books that do nothing but entertain me, shelved. Those movies that really don’t have any value, thrown out. Instead I hope to focus on God and the words He has for me in the Bible. I want to spend my time doing things that will benefit me and others eternally. Forget these things that only entertain momentarily. In the end, they are the biggest waste of my time here on earth!
I want the Spirit of God to fully possess my heart. I know it will be painful at first. It’s not easy to give up those things that I want and have grown accustomed to. However, I know that I want to be truly transformed, from the inside out. In order for that to happen, I need to make some changes. I want to be a true child of God, one whose Father lives in her nice, clean heart.
Author Katelyn Pauls is a student missionary in Thailand.
