Inner Workings

“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”— Psalm 139:1-4

Yesterday my daughter and I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet. She had spent two years dancing with the ballet company a few years ago, and was in the Nutcracker twice. From our nose-bleed seats in the balcony, we watched, entranced, at the dancers and beautiful choreography. We knew scene by scene, costuming, entrances, and music.

Because she spent hours practicing in the ballet studio, and then hours rehearsing before shows, she knew the inner workings of what went on off stage. She remarked about the bustling, harried, activity that we both knew was going on behind the stage and curtains. The parts the audience doesn’t see. We had been in the dressing rooms in the basement, the costume shop, the lounge, the smaller theater that served as a waiting area. We knew the pop machine, the stair case, the hallway behind the stage. As a parent volunteer, I also knew some inner workings by helping kids get into and out of costumes, moving props, etc… I knew how to iron wrinkles out of her dress, I knew how to work the glowing light packs for the rat’s eyes, I knew how to help change a dancer’s costume between scenes in 10 seconds. It all added to the enjoyment of watching the show!

God knows our inner workings intimately. On the outside we like to present a glowing, happy self-image, we put our best foot forward, we hide our true selves at times. But God knows what is really going on in the closets, back rooms, and basements of our hearts. While our “show” is going on to the outside world, He knows our inner joys. He knows our sorrows. He knows our desires. He knows our thoughts. And the beauty of it is….He still deems us lovable and of great worth to Him. He works all things in our lives to bring good to us, to reveal His love to us. That is what Christmas is all about. “God with us”, Emmanuel. The God who came down from heaven resides with us and in us. We are His, and He is ours.

Allow God to know all the inner workings of your life. Confess what needs confessing, rejoice in what God shows you, and know God walks with you this Christmas and always!

Prayer—-“Lord God, you know all about me and still love me. Thank you for your gift of Jesus, Emmanuel, to be with me. Open my heart to receive you in my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”