One thing to notice is that he points out that we are encouraged by the devil to view our feelings when we see human entrails as "real", but when we see puppies and rainbows, our feelings are not to be trusted. I'd like to point out that, when you stop and really think about it, we were created to see puppies and rainbows. Human entrails were never meant to be viewed. They were created to be kept inside of our bodies, away from our sight. It is only through sin and the resulting violence that we see the "insides" of people. So it's no wonder that we respond with horror... we're responding to something horrific (sin and violence).
But let's go a little deeper. Lewis has been sharing some things in the readings for the last month or so. He's sharing doubt about the ascension. He's sharing doubt about a church service where we see the commonality of our neighbor. He's sharing the fear that the "real" is bad and the good is a trick of the light. Why is he sharing these things? Wouldn't it be better to ignore the darknesses? Doesn't it hurt our faith to look at these doubts?
Well, no. It doesn't. Here's why:
See, we all have those dark places inside of us. We all wake up in the night and feel the heat of the dark in our hearts. We all, all of us, struggle with our own demons. We face a lifelong battle with the particular temptations that we each of us face each day. And it's easy to think (the enemy would HAVE us think) that we're alone in these struggles.
So it's incredibly important that we share our struggles with each other. I need to share what brings me down, with you. Because you can lift me up, that's part of it. But maybe even a bigger part of it is that, in lifting me up, you see that you're not alone in YOUR struggles. In lifting me up, you lift yourself up as well. Or, put another way, He lifts us both up through the action of you helping me.
So I encourage you to share your wobbles, your foibles, and your mistakes with those you trust. Ask for their prayer. Ask for their guidance and wisdom. Not just because you need it. But because they need it maybe even more.
God, thanks for helping us face our "dark side". Please help us to share it with each other, and lift us up through that sharing.
2 comments:
"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up to walk on stormy seas; I am strong when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up to ore than I can be.
When I am down and, oh, my soul, so weary; When troubles come and my heart burdened be; Then I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me.
It is so true when share our stories or in "churchy" terms testimony it frees us up. I sheds light on the once dark places and the more light your shed the more free one becomes. So let's be the type of followers of Christ that when we ask someone, "how are you doing" we mean it and will stay for the long haul of the helping our brother or sister in Christ walk through the dark side.
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