Andy basically explains that until we get completely honest, dig deep and allow God to reveal the real reason/root of our issues they will continue to pop up in our lives. It is frightening to take that on--but it is essential if we are to really be healed.
I couldn't help but think of the imagery of surgery to remove cancer. If a patient came into my husband's office and requested that he simply remove the part of the tumor that was causing discomfort--or just the part that people could see--he wouldn't do it. It would be pointless. The sheer nature of cancer is that it must be completely explored and removed. In surgery they even take margins--meaning they remove MORE than what is necessary--just to insure they didn't leave a trace behind.
We get this when it pertains to medical treatment--it seems obvious. Yet, I am increasingly convinced that we need to remember sin in the same way. It is not enough to address our surface issues and get those back to a 'presentable state.' If this is our approach, those issues absolutely WILL reoccur in our lives. God did not send Jesus to die so we would be comfortable or presentable. No, God sent his Son so we would be healed and free.
I am deeply saddened as I watch life after life self destruct because image and comfort is being prioritized over healing and freedom. We must be willing to risk our image for authentic spiritual health.
Removing what is eating you up may bring temporary pain.
It may very well leave scars.
But it is a small price to pay to be saved.
2 comments:
I had the opportunity to watch Andy recently on television. His sermons are over the Guardrails...and I remembered you posting about it recently. I've added him to my DVR...and he's really reaching me in new ways and thoughts that I need to pursue in my relationship with Christ.
I too am deeply saddened by many around me who are self-destructing and choosing their image. My heart is very over-whelmed these days..but my Savior is strong...and showing me things within myself as well. I really enjoy your posts, J-Mom! Thanks for sharing!!
I was talking about this very issue the other day with our pastor, who I'm also fortunate to call a good friend. We were talking about a particular issue with my husband's extended family, an issue which has a beloved relative making the same poor decision yet again and reaping the very same devastating consequences. And it's the same decision we've seen played over and over in that family. My pastor mentioned that this is what the Bible is referring to when it talks about the sins of father being visited down to the fourth generation. It's not about great-great-great grandchildren being judged and held accountable for the specific choices of their ancestors. Rather, it's the notion that families have emotional DNA just like we have biological DNA and unless those poor choices are dealt with adequately and appropriately, they will continue to occur, over and over again, until someone makes the conscious decision to examine the root of the family tendency towards (fill in the destructive activity here) and choose to live a life that is different from the pattern carried forward by those who came before. It was really quite profound for me, to have that passage put into such a stark, modern-day context.
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