I think we have a short term solution to the leaf problem.
But, it's only short term.
Our human nature is to cover up. Adam and Eve covered up when their eyes were opened. Moses covered up when he killed the Egyptian. David covered up when he killed Uriah. The Pharisees tried to make their outward appearance spotless, but covered up were "dead men's bones".
That continues today. Bill Clinton tried to cover up. So did Ted Haggard. So have I. So have you.
It makes good human sense to do our best to present a clean, polished appearance to the world. "Never let them see you sweat." Don't admit your weaknesses. Distract them with beautiful snow so no one sees what is beneath.
That philosophy runs counter to God's way, though. He knows the worst about us already. He remembers that we were made from dust. He reminds us that no one is perfect other than His Son, so we have no need to pretend we play the part of perfection. He calls for openness regarding our weakness so there can be healing. He calls for authenticity so others will believe. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. While we are not proud of our shortcomings, we realize that God works through and overcomes them to show His work in our lives.
When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and You forgave the guilt of my sin. - King David
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. - James
We need to get honest with God and each other. Take off the spiritual blinders. Yes, we're forgiven, but none of us are perfect. Not yet. Not on this earth. Some of us are really good at seeing the sins of others, and amazingly blind at seeing our own. We fool no one but ourselves. We're all in the same boat.
Nothing will draw them to Him faster than authentic, struggling Christians. And nothing will repel them faster than stuffy, self-righteous hypocrites.
After all, if we had no sin, we would need no Savior. How can we put on a facade of "perfection" and expect anyone to look at us and see a need for Jesus? Rather than being pointed to Jesus, they will be pointed to human effort, which is like chasing after the wind.
When the snow melts, the leaves will still be there. According to Wikipedia, it takes 1 to 2 years for leaves to fully decompose. If you're trying to compost, they recommend turning the pile occasionally. Why? Decomposition is accelerated by oxygen. Where is oxygen most abundant? At the surface. Uncovered.
So it is with our sins.
3 comments:
Wow Shane...that's some good stuff! I think at times I have perfected the coving process so others do have to see my sin...and yet...it is so clear to them. It's when I take off that covering that I am allowed to be me the most. At times it is painful to uncover our sin...but in reality...we are really just hiding from ourselves. God knows our sin already! He's just waiting for us to acknowledge it, cofess, and look to Him for forgiveness.
Thanks for your posting my friend! That was good stuff!
Temps in Nebraska are in the teens, no ice and no snow in the picture. Boy I don't know if I could stand that weather in the South (he, He, He.)
The next time we feel the need to whine about how bad we have it we too could spend a little time reading the 38th chapter of Job.
Dad Coffman
Wow, Shane, I agree with Brenda this is a great post! I often have a problem with organized religion because somewhere, even though we didn't mean to, we left people with the impression that to approach God you had to have it all together and keep it together or you weren't worth His love. That just kills me! Jesus was about relationship not religion, and He was pretty clear on the subject that religion should never get in the way of relationship with God or with one another! Thanks for a great post!
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