Wherever You Go, There You Are

"So, the cross is always ready and waits for you everywhere. You cannot escape it no matter where you run, for wherever you go you are burdened with yourself. Wherever you go, there you are." —Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ, ca. A.D. 1440

What is it that causes us to go to such extravagant lengths to hide. Whether it's our clothes, our speech, the people we spend time with, or the people we avoid, our activities, or the activities we desperately desire but refrain from, we all find ways hide or run. Amazingly, in our attempt to avoid a concentrated view of ourselves, we can hurt so many around us. We create rules and project them upon others. We sin, and rather than face and accept loving disciple from the body of Christ, we change churches. We erase the history files, so that there is no trial left behind. We hide behind acts of service, for surely my fruit will speak for itself. And we lie awake at night, desperate for rest.

Our Lord reserved His harshest criticism for people who made denial into a trademark. The Pharisees specialized in looking good. They managed to preserve their image by defining sin in terms of visible transgressions and then scrupulously adhering to the standards they established. Their source of joy was the respect of others and they found effective means of gaining it. They performed well.

I suspect very few of the Pharisees would have reported a longing to feel good for just ten minutes. These were the together people. They lived in the box they had created. They never seemed to be struggling. They'd found what they were after and were proceeding with confidence. They even looked good. But listen to Jesus' remarks when He spoke to them. They impressed others, but not Him.

BTW... How similar to my life! His criticism is meant for me as well.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dis, and then the outside also will be clean" Matthew 23:25-26

Small wonder He wasn't invited to their parties! Such pretense is hard to keep up. It's hard to be "on" all the time. Many comedians will testify that being funny all the time is impossible, that is, without pharmaceutical help. But once you start the game, it's hard to quit.

But not all of us are good at playing the game. Those whose integrity makes such pretense difficult, sometimes worry over their apparent lack of faith. "Why don't I feel as happy and together as others? Something must be wrong with my spiritual life!" To make matters worse, these people of integrity often appear less mature and their lives less inviting than folks more skilled at denial. And churches tend to reward their members who more convincingly create the illusion of intactness by parading them as examples of what every Christian should be.

Beneath the surface of every one's life, especially the more mature, is an ache that will not go away. It can be ignored, disguised, mislabeled, or submerged by a torrent of activity, but it will not disappear, for good reason. We were designed to enjoy a better world than this. Until that better world comes along, we will groan for what we do not have. An aching soul is evidence of realism, not spiritual immaturity or neurosis.

You can run but you can not hide. Take a risk. Take the conversation on level deeper. This time, don't settle for pleasantries. Share the ache. Loosen the tie and roll up your sleeves. Allow them to see you sweat. And be amazed at the freedom found as the chains of insecurity and oppression drop to the floor.

"For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His" 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB)