Red Shiny Apple

Alicia was such an interesting person, a great friend and a wonderful daughter. Everywhere she went she brought a smile and kind word. Her co-workers looked to her for encouragement and she made the workplace sane. Her two best friends loved hanging out with her because she was so full of fun and laughter. Alicia’s family got excited every time she visited. She was the red shiny apple of the family.

On the surface, Alicia was the best friend you’ve always wanted, full of good energy and love; but inside, at her core, Alicia had a hidden worm that ate at her insides. On the outside she was that really red, shiny apple you can’t wait to take home. It looks perfect until you cut it in half and see it has a nasty worm inside spoiling the fruit.

For many years, Alicia carried a deep scar in her heart that over time grew and turned into a worm that constantly, secretly ate away at her goodness. She didn’t really know it was that bad. It started as distrust and went to dislike, eventually landing on hatred. The hatred had gotten so deep that it turned into unforgiveness. And in her heart, she vowed to never forgive her father for how he had treated her as a child.

How often are there things going on in our hearts that we cover over or ignore while we appear to be red shiny apples on the outside? Truth is, many people are walking around with hidden hurts and pains that don’t show on the surface: anger, bitterness, malice, ill-will. These are worms that eat away at our hearts until they become hardened and almost immovable.

One of the definitions of worm is “something that torments or devours from within.” Alicia’s worm had tormented her so much over the years that she blamed God for every wrong in her life, leaving her miserable. Until one day, she met an angel who found her just as she was about to tumble from a bridge. After he pressed her, she explained how unfair life was. God was such a rock in others’ lives, but not in hers. Her father had wronged her and she could never forgive him.

The angel explained the power of forgiveness for the person who is doing the forgiving. It’s about freeing your heart so that you can see the power of God fulfilled in your heart. It’s about breaking down barriers and walls so that your true self can be set free. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” (Lewis B. Smedes) All the angel asked Alicia was to try.

Are you a red shiny apple with a worm eating away at your insides? Take the first step by putting that worm in the hands of Jesus. Let Him help you rid your heart of past hurts that are eating away at your life and keeping you from having the life He wants for you. His love is totally sufficient to see you through. Give Him a try.

“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14

Prayer

Jesus,

I long to be free. I long for the freedom that only You can offer, because only You  can set me free and I will be free indeed. Search my heart and know me inside and out. Remove anything that will spoil me and prevent me from being abundantly fruitful as you have called me to be. Jesus, I call upon Your name and ask this because I know that if I ask it in Your name it will be done. Give me the strength to do my part. Give me the courage to make every effort to live in my freedom. Give me the boldness to stand up against the temptation to go back to my life of bondage. I give You all the praise and the glory. Amen!


Photo by Juan C. Palacios from Pexels

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