How to Let God Go Deep

In this post, I’m sharing a story of how I let God go deep in my life. The freedom we gain from that brings a greater spiritual maturity.

God sees the deep turmoil in our hearts. And He responds to our prayers to be free of what’s holding us back.

The freedom He gives us goes hand-in-hand with growing spiritually.

Walk as children of Light, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8,10 NASB

Cutting Loose

One day, close to two decades ago, God showed me that I had an idol in my life: reading my Calvin and Hobbes comic books. I owned nearly the entire collection. Not that there’s anything wrong with reading cartoon comics, but God showed me that reading them in excess was out of balance with my responsibilities.

I felt the prodding of the Holy Spirit to cut up my books! And like the *perfect* Christian I was, I submitted without protest:

What? Couldn’t I just cut back on reading them? That would still be cutting, right, with no scissors involved?  

His conviction drowned out my panicking, and I couldn’t help but question why He wanted me to take scissors to my prized possession. Somehow I knew it went even deeper than my obsession with them.

He showed me that some of the material was feeding a weakness in which I had been praying to be an overcomer. 

Now that I saw how He was choosing to answer my prayer, I surrendered without hesitation:

But, God, cut them up? Are you sure this is the best way?

Even When I’m Still Fighting God, He’s Gentle

At that point, I knew He had left the decision to me. I heard that the Holy Spirit is a gentleman; now I knew what that meant. He wouldn’t force me to do it. It had to be my choice.

God isn’t a controller, but He invites us to go deep with Him. As a result, we grow into a greater spiritual maturity.

I knew that if I cut up the books, I would be delivered immediately in both areas.

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 NASB

I told my family what the Lord had shown me, and they were supportive all the way even though they asked me if I was sure I wanted to do this.

I knew it would be difficult, but I decided I would rather please the Lord and be free immediately than continually struggle with these temptations.

As I began to get the scissors out, I faltered with my new decision. Those books were worth an awful lot of money.

Couldn’t I just sell them?  

How God Goes Deep

Using gardening as an analogy, we might dig some holes and plant some seeds, paying attention to make sure what we’re growing will receive enough water and sunlight.

We might do everything right, but still not yield the results we want. What went wrong?

Under the soft ground where we put that seed is a layer called the hardpan. It’s so hard that unless broken up, the roots cannot break through.

God is our husbandman. Are we going to allow Him to go deep?

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NASB

We can let Him pull the weeds in our life. That might be like repenting of a sin that He brings our attention to as we go about our day, or quoting a verse to help us keep our mind on Him rather than a temptation.

We may see Him add some fertilizer. That might be God allowing us to go through some circumstances to open our eyes to what He wants to change in us.

We may have all the other necessary ingredients to achieve success, but if we want to see lasting change in our life, we need to let God go deep enough.

Our heart can be hard, just like that layer of hardpan. It’s only broken up by brokenness.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17 NLT

My Final Decision to Let God Go Deep

When I asked God if I could sell the books instead, I felt that same familiar pressing of the Holy Spirit. I knew what I had to do.

I cried as I began to cut the first book, overcome with various emotions. At first, the tears flowed because I was destroying my valuable Calvin and Hobbes comic book collection. But then tears of joy flooded down my face because I was becoming free.

If you think I’m crazy, have you ever seen Fireproof? He took a baseball bat to his computer because he wanted to be free of a porn addiction! I could relate because I’m a passionate enough person to do something crazy because I want God more.

I smiled in the joy of my newfound freedom. And I’ve never regretted my decision.

Let God Go Deep with You

As uncomfortable as it may be, allow Him to go to the hardpan. Let’s tell Him we’re letting Him open up those hard places and loosen our grip on the things we hold too tight.

There are five verses that I go to whenever I need strength to yield to God. I call them my Yield to God Verses. They can help in any area and will help you when you want or need to go deep with God. Because His Word works!

Yes, let’s allow God to go deep. A beautiful crop awaits.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to be free of something? And for the bold, what do you want to be free of now?

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