Spiritual MRIs
February 18, 2008
By Greg Ebie
It seems to me MRIs and CAT scans have helped to reduce the
need for exploratory surgery. It used to be the only way doctors could see what
was happening inside your body was by cutting you open. Now they can watch your
heart beat or examine your brain without physical invasion. Technology has
enabled doctors to see what they could never have seen before.
While MRIs and CAT scans eliminate the pain of exploratory
surgery, you still must give your consent for the tests to be done. Once the
procedure is done your doctor can show you the results and talk about your
condition and needed treatment.
Have you considered asking God to conduct a spiritual MRI?
God already knows the condition of our lives inside and out, but asking Him to
do a spiritual MRI gives us the opportunity to seek God and learn from Him what
our lives are really like.
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;
cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for
yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to
eternal life” (Psalm 139:23,24, The Message).
David asked God for a spiritual MRI — “Mercy’s
Redemptive Image” — of his heart. God knows our thoughts, the good, the
bad and the downright ugly. When we ask God to examine our heart, He doesn’t
just take a peek and then leave. God shows us what He finds.
When we see Mercy’s Redemptive Image of our lives, we’re
reminded God sets us free from sin, and we can ask the Lord to forgive and
cleanse us of whatever displeasing characteristics He shows us are still within
our heart. Without a spiritual MRI we can assume everything is OK, only to
discover the cancer of sin is still growing within us.
When God shows us the condition of our hearts and uncovers
hidden sin in our lives, we can choose renewed freedom living a righteous life
as God leads us. Just like a doctor recommends treatment and even lifestyle
changes to bring healing physically, God will show us how to live a holy life
to bring spiritual healing.
— D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of
God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.
