Seven Woes, part 7
Woe to those who prefer the spirit of control over the spirit of liberty.
Will we expend the energy to pursue interior holiness?
For years I have been thinking about a disturbing and distinct division among followers of Jesus. On the one hand I see many rediscovering the spirituality of the arts, befriending the unclear, finding beauty in mystery and celebrating difference.
And on the other hand I see people craving more details, more definition, more “how to” downloads almost as though they were screaming, “God, just tell me what to do and I’ll do it! Give me the ten points or the five steps and I’ll follow to the letter. I don’t have to understand, I just need to know what you want from me.”
Perhaps both groups are responding to life in an age drenched with insane amounts of information. We are tired of dog paddling in the endless sea of data—it is too vast to measure let alone drink. So some begin floating on their backs to consider an inspiring view of the sky while others search frantically for a life raft to cling to.
At first glance we might assume that only the second group is vulnerable to spiritualizing control. Certainly lists can be abused to oppress the artist, silence the prophet, and multiply the Pharisees.
Yet as an artist at heart, I would like to speak to the first group: We too are vulnerable to the spirit of control because the spirit of control sometimes masquerades as a self-gratifying version of psuedo-freedom.
We celebrate our freedom.
Our souls dance in the spirit of liberty.
We even take some pride in not being religious.
But we must be cautious: liberty can easily become lawlessness.
How can we tell the difference? By asking a penetrating question about what we just did in the name of freedom: What did this choice amplify in me?
Liberty amplifies God in our souls.
Lawlessness amplifies self.
Which was greater in the moment, late that night, the next day?
It may be costly to hear the truth.
It will be deadly not to listen.
If we become still, in silence with God we will know.
Such is the way of Spirit-led interior holiness.
You’ve done it again – amplified truth in just a few words … words that I will chew on into the night and the ‘morrow. Thank you, friend, for speaking deeply to my soul.
And thank you, Elaine, for reading and always being such an encourager.
“What did this choice amplify in me?” Wow, what a question! Regardless of which end of the spectrum we fall out on, this is a question we should ask of our actions and motives.
In the first Bible study I wrote we spent a week examining the issue of character as part of a godly legacy. In that week of the study I quoted Charles Allen who offered four questions to ask when making moral decisions. These questions go right along with your question today. The four questions were: 1) Would you need to keep it a secret? 2) Where will it lead you? 3) Which is your best self? 4) What would the person you admire the most do if he/she were in your situation?
Choices have consequences and we are all wise to consider well those consequences in all circumstances.
Leah, good questions from Charles Allen! Thank you so much for sharing them.
As always, your words speak to a very deep place in my heart. I love how you distinguish between liberty and lawlessness. Though lawlessness always amplifies self, I believe for many the emotional pay-off they receive as a result is far stronger than the still small voice of God’s truth. The immediate cost of truth may make some unwillingly to acknowledge or receive it, yet as you aptly describe, “It will be deadly not to listen.” Thanks for your words, your gift and your heart.
Blessings,
Lisa Murray
Thank you for your wise thoughts, Lisa. I especially appreciate them having had the opportunity to spend a few days getting to know your beautiful heart and also knowing your professional strength as a counselor.