I went to the dentist this week for my bi-annual checkup and cleaning. Routine X-rays revealed a lingering problem that has gotten worse. An old filling from when I was younger (I avoided the dentist as much as possible) expanded and cracked the tooth. As a result, a new cavity has taken root. Now the old filling must be removed, the cavity cleaned out, and a new cap put in place. Feeling invincible in my twenties gifted me several hours in the dentist’s chair this spring.

The writer of Hebrews foreshadowed an experience coming in our future we should look forward to like a trip to the dentist: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

At some point we will make a reckoning for how we lived our lives. Everything laid bare before the eyes of God. As clever as I might obscure my thoughts or attitudes or secrets, the Lord sees plainly, like a drone swarm surrounding my every move.

But there are actions we can take today to mitigate this looming inspection. Just before the news of this accounting the author wrote: The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God’s word holds within its pages extraordinary power. The Holy Spirit uses truths found within to slice through our soul, to refresh our spirits, to even bring physical changes. The Scriptures call us daily to an accounting similar to the one we’ll face in the future.

I cannot imagine standing before the most Holy God and stammering out an account for my life. Sounds impossible. But the Lord won’t spring anything new on us when he calls us to the mat. Everything is in the Book. Thanks to Jesus and the Holy Bible, we can live today a little less terrified about falling on our faces before God in the future.

Hebrews 4:12-13

Photo by Kenny Eliason