I must confess that I take a fair amount of pride in the condition of my teeth.  Yep, just putting it out there today.  I have never had a cavity and, at this age, I’m quite sure I won’t get any.  I’ve always been a good brusher and, recently, have even become a decent flosser.  Good for me!

So, I was quite dismayed at my last dental appointment to learn that my brushing technique left a lot to be desired.  Apparently, I had focused almost exclusively on the part of my teeth that everyone sees.  I had been ignoring what my hygienist called the “tongue side of my teeth.”

After a thorough cleaning, I walked out of the office with a sore mouth!  That’s when I knew I had to correct my lazy brushing habits, and start taking this full-mouth brushing routine more seriously.

I can report that, over the past few months, I have consciously brushed every nook and cranny in my mouth with high hopes of getting a better grade at my next appointment.  I can’t wait.

Never fear, there is a practical application of this story to our Christian walk – and perhaps especially so as we look to a new year a few days down the road. 

I was talking with a friend recently about my own Christian walk, and specifically the ways I’ve grown since I became a believer decades ago.

I can confidently report that I’m not committing very many visible sinful acts at this stage (with the possible exception of some occasional speeding.)  I’m not stealing from anyone, no murders or fighting.  I’m honest with my taxes.  I’ll correct the store clerk or the wait staff if they didn’t charge me enough for a product. I even let drivers sneak into a line or cars ahead of me, most of the time.

By outward appearances, I look like a solid woman of God.  Or to bring in our earlier analogy, my Christian “smile” is quite clean and bright.

But what about those back teeth and those inside crevices?  How does my Christian walk look in the areas no one (except God) can see?

As I shared with my friend, my struggles as a Christian woman seeking to do God’s will, but still living in this sinful body are all about my thoughts, my motivations, my weakness in letting Satan plant lies in my head.  It’s the unkind, and sometimes downright hurtful conversations I have in my head with someone, or about someone.

It’s being disobedient to God when I don’t feel like following his leading. It’s putting little priority on quality prayer time with him.  Or reading through my devotions so I can check that off my to-do list for that day.

The list of “invisible” sins can go on and on.  Certainly not enough space in a single blog post to address all the ways we fall short of what God wants for us.

So what can we do about this seemingly insurmountable challenge?

Before we give up, throw in the towel, phone it in, we must remind ourselves of where we stand in God’s eyes.  If you’ve asked Jesus to be Lord of your life because of his sacrifice on the cross for your sins, then God sees you through Christ’s atoning blood. 

It’s the best exchange of all time.  Jesus took our sins, and God gave us his righteousness.

Does that mean we get a pass on all those areas where we still struggle?   Not so fast!  God’s work in our lives will never be over until he calls us home, or Jesus returns. He desires that we become more and more like Jesus, as we allow him to work in those areas “behind our smile.”

Just as my brushing has taken on a whole new perspective, so I want those back areas of my Christian walk to be cleansed as well.

The Holy Spirit, working in each of our lives, can bring awareness to our areas of need, and can supply the power to help us change.

Perhaps God is using my dental appointment, and subsequent improved brushing, as a three-times-a-day reminder of all that he desires for me as we continue our walk together.  Who says God isn’t in the details of our lives?

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,

and may your whole spirit and soul and body

be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23