Can’t run. Can’t hide.
By James Washington
Special to the Outlook from NNPA
In this world, yours and mine, it is almost impossible for people to lead with their weaknesses, as opposed to showing the world their perceived strengths. We all want the world to see us at what we think is our best light. It’s for those other reasons, the ones we’re most ashamed of, that we want to keep our shortcomings hidden in the dark, hopefully never to see the light of day. Some of us can even fool ourselves into believing that our true self is the one we show to others and not the one we take to bed with us each and every night. The longer we hide from ourselves, the more we’re likely to have difficulty understanding and then dealing with who we really are. Some might call this denial.
The problem with spiritual denial is that it’s impossible to do. You cannot deny your own sinfulness. You cannot hide from your own sins. There is no rationalization for the exclusion of God in your life. Regardless of how much you want to show the world your high moral and spiritual standing, when it comes right down to you and God that dog simply will not hunt. In order to put your life in balance, you must first recognize the futility of trying to come off to others as if sin is not a part of who you are, or at best who you were at one time. The truth is, it’s how you come off to God that really matters and He, sorry to say, for most of us, cannot and will not be fooled by a fool.
After all, when the lights go out and it’s just you, are you really alone? That might be why some people need to have anything but silence and solitude as companions. In relation to God it’s not a very comfortable situation to know that you’re never alone in His eyes. You can’t run. You can’t hide. Wherever you are, He is. Whatever you are, He knows. Whatever you did, well, that’s the nature of God. And the nature of God dictates that you must lead with your weaknesses. Bring Him your sins. Confess and then, only then, maybe you can begin to take some positive actions about your life, with God’s help of course. But first you’ve got to take care of the basics. Empty the closet. Acknowledge the dirt. Understand its nature, which is truly who you are, and then bring it into God’s house. After all, He’s the only one who can clean up that mess anyway. He’s the only one who can and by His nature, the only one who’s really interested in doing so. That’s one of the many beautiful things about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His life and death and life paid for and took care of the need for you to think that you have to hide your sinful nature from anyone. “He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but he whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.
Confession allows God to enter the picture. Confession is a declaration that comes from that place deep inside you that you mistakenly think is controlled by you. Once you recognize and accept who really is in control, from that point forward you become an example to the world that openly declares, “My name is—and I am a sinner who is saved. God has accepted me for who I really am. I am who He made me to be. Now it’s your turn. Look at me and learn about you. Examine me and see God in yourself. You too, are who He made you to be. I am blessed. And you are too.” We live forgiven by God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice. Deal with that and life becomes so much better. You will begin to live guilt free as God intended and Jesus’ life and death and life guaranteed.
May God bless and keep you always,
James
jaws@dallasweekly.com
