
Even the Unplowed Parts: Letting God Into the Places We Avoid
Does He Have My Whole Heart?
Reflections from Hosea 10:9–15
Lately, I’ve been sitting with this verse in Hosea:
“Break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord…” (Hosea 10:12)
And wow! Did that line land in my soul like a quiet, sacred invitation.
You know those verses that feel like they read you instead of the other way around?
This was one of those.
I picture ground that’s been left untouched...maybe because it’s been too painful to go there, too messy, or too exhausting to deal with. For me, that unplowed ground looks a lot like avoidance. Numbing. Distraction.
Let me be real with you:
I’ve been turning to my phone a lot more lately. Scrolling when I feel anxious. Checking out when I feel overwhelmed. Telling myself it’s just a quick mental break... but deep down, I know I’ve been looking to comfort myself in things that never actually fill.
That question keeps echoing:
“Does God have your whole heart?”
And some days, I have to admit…
Not all of it.
Not the distracted part.
Not the fearful part.
Not the part that doesn’t want to feel too much.
But here’s the beauty: God isn’t asking for the cleaned-up, curated version of my heart. He’s asking for the whole thing. Even the messy parts. Even the parts I’ve buried.
That’s what Hosea is about, isn’t it?
This relentless, faithful God who keeps pursuing us even when we keep wandering.
So today, I’m doing something small, but intentional.
I’m putting my phone down and opening my scriptures.
I’m whispering a prayer instead of pushing the feelings away.
I’m writing this post, because I need the reminder as much as anyone else:
Turning back to God doesn’t always look dramatic.
Sometimes it’s just choosing to turn toward instead of away.
So let me ask you, like I asked myself:
Is there something you’ve been turning to for comfort more than Him lately?
Is there a small way... today... you can purposefully turn back?
We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just have to begin.
Even now.
Even here.
Because He’s still waiting.
Still wanting.
Still loving every part of your heart.
Yes... even the unplowed ground.