It’s a pleasure to hear devotional thoughts from Pamela Polanco this week! You can learn more about her on the contributors page.

A few months ago, our pediatrician insisted that our newborn needed a heart checkup. Surprised, I asked if there were any reason for concern, especially since we had already done several tests during my pregnancy. Her response stuck with me: “not a particular reason, but it’s always good to check. Things can change from one day to the next.” 

Reluctantly, but trusting her advice, I scheduled the appointment. On the day of the checkup, I found myself whispering to my baby, “I can’t wait to hear that your little heart is as perfect as you are.” I was confident. 

My “perfect” baby was thriving—growing strong, eating well, and meeting all his milestones. What could possibly go wrong?

Despite my confidence during the appointment, the cardiologist’s words caught me off guard. “Do you see this? There’s a small membrane encircling one of his heart’s chambers.” Oh, the diagnosis followed quickly: Cor Triatriatum—a rare heart condition.

In an instant, my healthy, thriving baby didn’t seem so perfect anymore.

I started looking at him differently, searching for signs I might have missed. But the truth was, there were none—at least none I could see. I couldn’t look inside his heart to know what was happening.

How often does this mirror our own lives? We glance at ourselves and assume we’re fine. From the outside, we check all the boxes: active in church, kind to others, diligent in prayer. We look like the epitome of Christianity. Yet, beneath the surface, a tiny “membrane” of sin might be nestled within our hearts—something out of place, something we haven’t addressed.

Just as my son now has periodic appointments with the cardiologist, we need regular “checkups” with God. We need Him to examine us, to go beyond what we see, and to uncover what only He can.

The psalmist expressed this beautifully: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24).

As this year wraps up, let’s ask God to examine our hearts. We can’t afford to settle for appearances of righteousness—let’s ask Him to reveal what lies beneath and commit to making the changes He tells us to make. 

Let’s finish the year with hearts examined, corrected, and prepared to follow Him.