More Than a Trip to the Dentist

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance 
the race marked out for us, 
fixing our eyes on Jesus, 
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

As I sat in the dentist chair earlier this week I thought about a few of the verses shared and explored during last weekend's retreat. With my nose tingling because EVERYTHING on the left side of my face was numb, and the sound of the drill echoing in my head...I thought of this verse from Hebrews. Then I thought about the stereotype of going to the dentist in comparison to the pruning process (as some call it) of God when we life seems tough and even unbearable. Yet, it's during these times that when we look back, we recognize ALL God did during that time and the transformation we endured and experienced. 

In preparation for my speaking engagement for the Live More Ministries, I studied some of the same verses the speakers at our annual women's retreat shared. I LOVE HOW GOD ORDERS these things in our life. I'm thankful to have my eyes fixed on Him so I can SEE how God lined up my study, our speakers study, and merges them into a powerful and profound message direct to my heart this past weekend. It built on God's message to me over the past few months.

Have you ever sat in the dentist chair with the eerie sound of the drill making you cringe and creating goosebumps on your arms? What about the pressure as the dentist works on your teeth? No pain, but pressure. Has the novocaine ever wore off before the dentist was finished, or start to wear off? These are fun memories, right? Not so much.

BUT when you think about it, isn't going to the dentist similar to God's correction and redirection, "recalculating", if you will? The difference between God and our dentist, well one of many of course, is that even with an x-ray, its only possible for the dentist to SEE within to a certain degree.

Our dentist can make an educated guess to what we've been eating and drinking, how many times we've brushed our teeth a day, and even the type of toothpaste and mouth wash we are using. It's even possible for them to tell if we use the dental floss they give us every six months or if it uses spaces on a shelf in the bathroom. BUT even with their x-rays, education, and diagnosis...they don't KNOW for sure.

They will question us and ask about our eating, drinking, and hygiene habits. We choose to answer them honestly or shrug our shoulders. God on the other hand, knows EVERYTHING without asking or needing us to tell Him but He desires us to throw off our hindrances and sins so we can run and not be weary or lose heart. What are we waiting for? God already knows so why do we procrastinate in sharing our sins with Him during our quiet times?

The dental hygienist can scrape and clean our teeth, the dentist will check and fix them, but in the long run the prelim is the same...WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART or no matter how many suggestions or wellness visits we have...cavities and sin will take over requiring more work than one visit for repairs will allow. This is one reason we to do our part and persevere. Are you persevering or just doing the minimum to get by?

I don't know about you but I want to throw off all that hinders, keep my eyes focused on God, and win this race...I might not see the prize while on earth, it's an Eternal one BUT I KNOW IT'S WORTH IT. The next time you sit in the dentist chair and the machines grind, scrape, and repair...remember God is ALWAYS WITH YOU and is waiting for you to throw off all that hinders. Once you release this weight and LOOK UP with your eyes and heart...then a true cleaning of our soul begins and the pioneer and perfecter of our faith can finish the work he has for us. Pretty cool, don't you think? Embrace your next dental visit, God's talking to you .

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What do you think about when you're sitting in the dentist chair?