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All smiles… and a bit of trim, caulk, and paint
I’ve done a bit of minor home improvement of my own and all I can say is that I couldn’t have done it without 3 things: trim, caulk, and paint. With these 3 things I can cover up most anything that I’ve messed up – hoping that others will never notice and that I won’t be reminded of my mistakes whenever I walk by. It certainly would be easier for me to skip passed the above verse – saying that there’s not much for me to learn here… I’m not a Pharisee… strictly speaking that is. However, there is clearly something in Christ’s warning to the Pharisees that applies to me. So I kept reading, thinking, praying…
In his April 3rd entry of “My Utmost for His Highest”, Oswald Chambers compares the whitewashed tombs that have been ceremoniously cleaned up for show and the filth that’s hiding inside them to the Pharisees’ sin of pride. Although their outward motives and religious activities appear to be upright and appropriate on the surface, it’s the Pharisees’ self-serving, prideful hearts hiding behind their religious regalia and formalities that are keeping them from the peace of God… from truly knowing Him in their hearts.
Hmmmm… so how does all of this apply to me? What am I doing to mask, distract, hide from others and even myself… and what am I hiding? What trim, caulk, and paint am I slapping on to cover up what’s really going on in my heart? Could it be the nervous humor… laughter, a well conditioned smile or rosy disposition, good intentioned busyness, possessions, past successes, and a quick answer… all in hopes of hiding a painful childhood I haven’t gotten over, dysfunctional relationships, lack of faith, anger, fear of failure or rejection, pride? Hmmm? What haven’t I dealt with… brought to the cross and allowed to die… what bones do I keep digging up because they are familiar, comfortable? What’s keeping me from daily resting in the peace of Christ… keeping me from growing in my relationship with Him? What’s not allowing the new creature in Christ that I am… to live? A lot to think and pray about.
Doug,
Thanks for your insight and heart. It’s amazing how Christ can work in our lives. I am encouraged to continue to pray for inner healing and confidence of my identity in Christ.
Oh boy, Doug, you are right. This is a lot to think and pray about. Never ending struggles to cover up the things we think people don’t want to see or hear, when in reality, oftentimes those are the things that bond us or help us grow. God knows our heart and He always gets it right. Yours were words to think about. Thanks.
But you have to admit, those Pharisees WERE rascals!!
And you’re not so bad yourself.
Dooglas,
I sooo appreciate your candidness. Thank you, for reminding me that we are ALL hiding from our pasts and Christ wants to free ALL of us from those chains.
Love you and your family, my F4E!
Mamphony
h-m-m-m