There's a Sliver Embedded Deep Within

 

There’s a Sliver Embedded Deep Within

Theology in the Trenches

By Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

And so it came, a thought or two about slivers embedded within. As those thoughts continued, I pondered the fact that that when left unattended, the deep weeps.

We’ve all had a sliver or two and we know how irritating they can be. When left unattended, a protective infection begins—and soon, we are aware there is something there. We squeeze, we poke and when all else fails, we revert to grandma’s fix by wrapping round it a piece of bread soaked in milk. It’s a natural remedy. Like balm, the irritant is soon drawn out. As it begins to protrude, that which was once festering deep beneath the surface begins to heal.

Perhaps you know where this is going—the bread, the wood, the wound.

I began wondering what happens when one is unaware there is a sliver there and where the deepest place a sliver might hide. As far as I can figure, if one is unaware, the sliver will eventually make itself known and as far as the deepest place? I’m thinking it might be the heart.

Why can the heart hide things deep within—that even slivers fester unaware? You see, within the heart there is so much more than tissue. There are issues, you know, that need tending.

How do slivers get there unaware? Oh, that’s easy. We pick and choose us over Him pretty much all day long.

It’s a gift, you know, to be invited into the deep when we weep over the splinters within. When all tossed into one big pile, those tiny pieces begin forming chunks of wood—and it becomes about the One who carried all of our festering splinters—the slivers embedded deep within. Soon, tossed upon the cross He was for past, present, and future slivers within hearts.

Best part is, He too used bread to not only draw the slivers to the surface, but to heal festering hearts. And He still uses bread for the breaking of that which He desires to heal.

Luke 22:19-20 explains. “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” And to make sure, Matthew and Mark said so, too.

So where’s this going? Looks to me like there’s a remedy for festering slivers deep within.

Take and eat for this is His body given for you—doesn’t get much more personal than that.

May each festering sliver be a reminder that the protective infection serves as gift so we might remain aware of He who carries and He who heals and He who forgives. When we receive that which He gave us and continues to give us, it’s a natural remedy of sorts. It’s a remedy profoundly personal, wouldn’t you say?   Amen.