I had to go to the dentist today. I love going to the dentist. I love the way the office smells, the tools they use on my mouth, and don’t even get me started on the free paper like bib they let me wear. I went too far, didn’t I?
Going to the dentist is not my favorite thing. But, it’s not the dentist’s fault or the hygienist’s fault. Truth be told the reason I don’t like going to the dentist is because I know I don’t take care of my mouth the way I’ve been instructed for years to do so.
I mean seriously, how hard is it to floss? Apparently really hard because I don’t do it. Are there actually benefits to flossing daily? I don’t know, because I haven’t done it.
Since my dentist retired a few years ago I’ve had a hard time finding a new dentist that I like. Side note; every time I type the word dentist, I hear the voice of Hermie the elf from Rudolph. Welcome to my brain.
My previous dentist was old school and I truly loved everything about my visits with their office. But, she retired. And when she retired so did her gentle dentistry. She had none of them high-falutin power tools. Her office used good old fashioned hand tools and a spit bowl. Sigh.
My new dentist office has all the bells and whistles. It even has a hand-held camera to get mug shots of every single tooth, from every single angle. The things you never knew you needed. Right?
Today was my first cleaning since Covid-19 came into town. Prior to my cleaning appointment, I had the dreaded check-up. Dun dun dun. That’s when all the before pictures of my pearly whites were taken. With that appointment in my rear-view, I still had to get the cleaning done. Hence my visit today.
The hygienist was very friendly, yet I still found myself white knuckle gripping the arms of the chair. She brought my digital file up and started asking all the things. Which is only one reason why I dislike going to the dentist.
How many times a day do you brush your teeth? What type of toothbrush are you using? Do you floss daily? And, I think you get the rest of the drill. Get it. Drill. Dentist? HA! I crack myself up.
I bet you’re wondering how I’m gonna tie a teeth cleaning to walking with Jesus. Are you ready?
Sitting in the dentist’s chair with my mouth wide open and allowing someone to view all the plaque and tartar build-up leaves me feeling pretty vulnerable. You can’t hide what you haven’t been doing. Not flossing daily? Check. Not brushing correctly? Check. Not going to the dentist every 6 months? Check.
It’s probably the only time my mouth doesn’t lie. Because the proof is built up on my teeth. Awesome.
Sin, my friends, does the same thing. It builds the plaque and subsequent tartar on your heart, hardening it to God’s best for you.
When I asked the hygienist if anyone ever comes in without tartar and plaque build-up on their teeth. She replied, “rarely”. Now, you can lie to the hygienist, but you’re mouth will totally tattle on you.
If you’ve ever had a toothache or any type of mouth pain, you know how awful it is. It affects your entire being to include your mood.
If you ignore your teeth, tartar and plaque will be the least of your problems. Can you say cavity? Or abscess? Or total tooth decay?
The hygienist diligently, yet gently used the dreaded high powered tools to chip away at the nasty build-up on my overcrowded bottom teeth. Not gonna lie, it was painful in a few spots. That’s where the worst build-up was. Stupid over-crowded teeth. (Like that’s the total reason…not!)
When she was done, she took updated glamour shots of my teeth. Then came the before and after picture show. I now know I love having my teeth photographed as much as I like being photographed. Which is my way of saying, I don’t.
Okay, let’s wrap this up, shall we?
Unaddressed sin affects our entire being, including our relationship with God. It’s why were told to confess our sins. Hiding them or ignoring them only makes matters worse. Think about the worst thing you’ve ever done. Have you told anyone? Allow me to let you in on a little secret. God already knows.
Do you think God can’t tell the way it’s affecting you? Do you think He wants that nasty build-up to remain in you? Do you think He doesn’t see you white knuckling your way through life hoping no one finds out what you did?
Just life you can’t hide the yuck inside your mouth from the dentist, you can’t hide the yuck on your heart from God.
Taking care of your teeth, requires daily attention. Multiple times a day depending on what gets stuck in between your teeth.
Taking care of our soul, requires daily attention. Multiple times a day and then some. The only way to know if were off course in our life is to daily spend time talking with God. It’s not so He can beat you up even worse than you already have yourself. Quite the contrary, He wants to get that heart hardening tartar and plaque out of you so it can beat in tune to His rhythm of love.
Why? Because only He knows what you’re truly created for and His plan is good. Did you know God is singing over you? Let me show you:
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Spend time asking Him what He’s singing over you.
This morning I asked Him and He reminded me of the song “Dancing on the Waves” by We The Kingdom. Would you do me the honor of finding a quiet place and listening to it? I promise you won’t regret it. It may just be the best part of your day. I promise, it won’t hurt a bit, but I bet it fills the empty cavities of your soul. Drink it in!
Blessed to be Broken 
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