Deep tissue healing
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 12:00AM Medical students will tell you that in a deep wound two kinds of tissue must heal: the connective tissue beneath the surface and the outer, protective layer of skin.
- Philip Yancey, What Good is God?
Let's use the idea of deep tissue vs. surface healing as a metaphor for healing the whole person: What is 'deep below the surface' must heal if the person is to become well. The layers below the surface must be knit together in wholeness.
The heart [deep core of a person's identity] must be made well if the person is to recover from the Fall. For too long, the Church has focused on getting the outer layer to look good, to behave well; as if apparent health on the surface was necessarily indicative of the reality on the inside. [We all know that appearances can be faked.]
The new paradigm for spiritual [and therefore mental, physical, social] wholeness is this: heal the heart [the reality below the surface] and you begin healing the whole person. Health radiates from the Christ-follower's new heart [deep core] outwards. The focus for God is not on proper outward appearances -- the surface layers: Rather, His goal is the well-being and restoration of the heart/spirit deeper within; and the subsequent nourishing and release of the life-giving resources of that new heart.
This has already occured in the Christ-follower. The sickly and sin-ravaged heart has been replaced. A transplant took place when you said 'yes' to Jesus: the Son dies to give his heart to the wounded and dying. The wounded one receives the Son's heart so that he can live well.
Reader Comments (5)
I find in myself one of the biggest fears of living from my heart is fear of what people think. In other words instead of being conscious of what is truley on my heart I become conscious of how I am percieved...rephrasing everything I say, due to gauging my sucess on what I do on the responses or lack of responses of others.
I think sometimes places in my heart can not be healed becuase there is a self attacking...kind of like those syndromes in where the immune system attacks itself...my heart attacks itself judging myself by the reactions or lack of approaval of others. I believe a strong heart would work as an immune system filtering the outer world through a feeling a competency and love.
Shane -- what you're experiencing is pretty common -- even for me. I'm much stronger of heart than I used to be, but the daily battle persists. I love what you suggest: "I believe a strong heart would work as an immune system filtering the outer world through a feeling a competency and love."
You are strongly than you think. You're own heart will never attack itself, but the enemy will and the flesh will. You aren't where you used to be. Celebrate each small victory.
I just did a podcast with John Lynch, co-author of TrueFaced. It might be encouraging to you. http://www.mdn.fm/files/216996_oraet/Podcast%2520-%2520LETTING%2520OUR%2520HEARTS%2520COME%2520OUT%2520AND%2520PLAY-TrueFaced%2520-%2520guest%2520John%2520Lynch%2520joins%2520Jim.mp3
The (clouded) unrenewed mind sees nothing. It's truly amazing how rather than going to the Father of our spirit, the One who has initiated this miraculous entry into His family and asking Him to bring further revelation of what "has" been done in us, we slowly drift away to try and experience what we stand in need of by fleshly tactics. (Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!)
Rich
Hey Rich -- Love the quote from Galations. So true -- if only we'd listen to and believe what God knows about us....
Thanks Jim.
Good word.
I will check out that podcat. I am subscribed to your podcast and surprised it didn't automaticly download to my itunes.
shane