Yesterday we took a look at creation and how God brought order out of chaos. We learned that He can still do the same today in our own lives. But, just as creation didn’t stay impeccable in the beginning, it won’t stay that way for us either. We too will continuously sin and fall short of our goals, as Adam and Eve did even in the earliest days of our history. We are like little children, stumbling constantly. What determines the outcome is what we do about it. Let’s take a look at the garden again prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were naked and knew no shame…but after they ate the apple, they ran away when God called them. They then put on animal skins to hide from their shame. We too have hiding mechanisms, the Lenten season is a good time to try to identify some of them by the way.
How may it have turned out differently if they had turned to God instead of running away from Him? Well, we’ll never know for sure. But one thing we know is that God offers conviction which shows us the way and leads us to healing, the world however is all about condemnation which leads to shame, hiding, further sin and self hatred. You’re not convinced? Take a look at all the shaming that takes place in the public sphere, social networks being a good gauge of the goings on. What is laughable is what they choose to shame people about. This is totally the work of the enemy. The world goes by what is in ‘fashion’, which is what is socially acceptable at the moment…not by any real convictions…so it changes from day to day. Christians are called higher, to go by standards that don’t change. How we interpret those standards may evolve over time, but only to reveal it further, never to contradict it. Such is a life built on God’s truths. So in a sense we are true REBELS. We are called to be in the world but not of it.
Ok so I’ve delivered the bad news, that spanking brand new creation that you’ve been handed is not going to stay that way. Chaos will break out again…and again…and again. If you didn’t already know this, then I’m very sorry to be the one to tell you. However, I also bring you GOOD NEWS. 😉 As many times as you fall…you can get back up. Jesus offers us a ‘reset button’. It is called Reconciliation! No shame, no condemnation…just healing and grace to try again.
Now please go listen to Fr. Lauer’s talk today at my LENTEN page. Please don’t miss this one, it’s really powerful.