"I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heart”

Jer. 17:10

We crave meaning. We want the truth. We are built for truth and we are truth seekers. The Lord tests the mind and probes the heart to that end. Think of the countless ways he does that all the day long. For example, we know the scriptures are sharper than any two-edged sword cutting the bone to the marrow. If we are open and teachable, they will cut to the core of our lives and reveal the meaning of our existence. The wisdom and teachings of church test our thinking, intentions and actions. Maybe it is the sage or two year old or sunset or relationship problem that we have that brings us greater meaning. Whatever our circumstance might be, in all moments, the Holy Spirit is working to move us into all truth. Let us be thankful and challenged that the Holy Spirit is working each moment to reveal to us the meaning of the whole of our lives.

The first place my mind went to in reflecting on this scripture was a bumper sticker I once saw that read, “Get your laws off my body.” If we let the Holy Spirit test and probe this statement we will easily see that it is a lie. The lie lays (pun intended) in he fact that we are not the owners of our body. Our bodies belong to the Lord- for his purpose and glory.

Recently I was with a loved one and asking him some probing questions. I do not think that was on his top ten list for ways of spending our time together. I could see his body kind of tighten up and more blood was rushing to the surface of his face. Maybe his blood was boiling a bit at the testing and probing. It seemed like he was becoming defensive and the walls were coming up. Basically he told me that his business wasn’t anybody else’s business and that those who want to make it their business should mind their own business.

Don’t you think that whole mindset is a ploy of the devil? What I do is my own business and anybody who wants to make their business my business should mind their own business. “Get your laws off my body!” I will do what I want because I don’t answer to anyone else and, for sure, I will not answer to the Lord who tests and probes me that I might come to the meaning of the whole of my life.

The Lord’s business is to bring us to meaning. Our business is to let him do so. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the Lord is continually and in countless ways working to impart meaning in us. How often do we deny his testing and probing through our walls and defensesiveness only to end up empty and craving more meaning? It would not hurt if more of our blood would boil as the Holy Spirit, in infinite ways, shapes and forms, seeks to flood us with greater meaning through probing and testing anything with empty meaning in our lives.

Let us pray: Lord God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you desire to lead us to the fullest meaning of our lives. In continual and countless ways you test and probe us. Your business is our business and our business is to live for your meaning, purpose and glory. You always test us and ask us if we are living for you. When your testing and probing come, may we not become defensive, put up walls and let our blood boil in resistance. Rather, Lord, may we become defenseless before you. May we forsake all that does not provide meaning and come to inherit the meaning of who we are from you. Thank you, Lord, for leading us into the truth of who you are for us and of who we are in you. Amen.

God’s will!
+Fr. John