Luke 7:24 - 30
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
Who in your life will speak the truth to you? Who can you turn to for an honest assessment of what the shape of life looks like? Who can hear your truth and speak back to you in honesty?
These are not easy questions. And coming upon people who can be our personal "prophets" is not simple. Not everyone in our life-world does this for us.
We each need "prophets." Prophets, at least the Old Testament-style, were not fortune-tellers or prognosticators. They were those with special gifts of perception and intuition, those who were able to read the times. They surveyed the landscape, taking into account real-life events and shifts, then spoke into people's lives with blunt honesty. Always the intent of the prophet was to redeem, not to "bash-and-burn."
But because they spoke so forthrightly, they were often despised by the people who desired a softer, gentler word. I suppose if you interpret the line I just wrote, you could say that most people wanted -- and continue to want in our day -- someone to lie to them about life as it is, rather than tell them the truth.
Our human dilemma is that we so easily deceive ourselves. While that self-deceit may be a part of our wounded humanity, it also means that we will never be fully aware of ourselves, of the pulls and tugs that are the hidden motivations within us . . . the subtle impulses to power and control . . . the manipulative words we use to get affirmation in certain key relationships . . . our own emotional landscape that is very often unknown to us. We drop emotional landmines all around and then explode when someone unknowingly bumps into one of them.
Emotional and spiritual maturity are so very difficult and taxing. They are such hard work!
For that reason I need people in my life who see me from the outside, not pulled by my manipulations and hidden motivations, people with whom I can be honest about those tugs and who can help guide me through the terrain of my own spiritual and emotional being.
I see a person regularly -- once a month -- for spiritual direction. I invite her honesty. I don't go to her in order for her to "guide" me by making decisions for me or telling me what to do or where to turn. I ask her to help me see, to help me be aware of God and my life. I ask her to be honest with me. I may sometimes need a soft and comforting presence, but mostly from her I need honesty and help in seeing more clearly.
If this text is an indication, I sense that John the Baptist was this kind of honest, no-frills, shoot-straight presence. I need him in my life.
No comments:
Post a Comment