Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my offenses, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are justified when you speak and right in your judgment. Indeed, I was born steeped in wickedness, a sinner from my mother’s womb. Indeed, you delight in truth deep within me, and would have me know wisdom deep within. Remove my sins with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be purer than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; that the body you have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my wickedness. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
A Note to You:
Last week we looked at stories in which fear of others proved to be detrimental to our relationship with them. Our prejudices and biases drive wedges between us as and who are different. If left unchecked this leads to the drawing up of battle lines and violence. According to God’s dream for all humanity, Jesus invites you to a life of engagement that moves beyond fear.
It sounds good on paper. Well, maybe not to everyone. Those who harbor deep-rooted racist ideas would not be on board. But that is not you, is it? I guess that your biases are more like mine - more subtle and hidden. Under the veneer and facade of propriety, you store your imperfections, limitations and other things you'd not have displayed out in the open. How do I know this? I have a similar hiding place which I carefully guard.
This week I will be cracking the door on my storehouse. I will be questioning the lie of perfection and embracing my vulnerability. It is counterintuitive. When life gets rocky, isn’t that the time for you and me to circle our wagons and fall back into defensive positions? It is only human, after all. Maybe, but I think that is also the problem. Defensiveness moves in the direction of human inclination, not in the direction of God. Ironically, the Human One, Jesus, who is God’s perfection, embraced vulnerability, suffering, pain, and ultimately death. Jesus emptied himself.
In spirituality circles, this is called kenosis. It is an emptying of the self where we lose all pretensions and let go from the very source of being. In the book of Philippians (see Philippians 2:5-8), Paul speaks of Christ’s “emptying himself” (kenosis) as an example of ultimate receptivity to God. He invites us to imitate and have “the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5).”
Instead of kenosis, we head in the direction of perfection’s lie. It says to me and you that we can obtain a condition in life where there is nothing broken, and everything runs smoothly. If you try hard enough, using every ounce of your strength, willpower, and mind then you can achieve nirvana. You can make peace with yourself and circumvent pain, suffering, and brokenness. It is quite the dream, and I would be lying to you if I said that I’ve not dreamed and believed it myself.
The trouble I have found is that it doesn’t work. No matter how hard I try, I inevitably miss something. Self-negation and abnegation come into play as I talk like a vindictive trainer to myself seeking to motivate myself into that elusive place where life is perfect. I never get there. Instead, I spiral out of control and sink into a place of despair. What is more, when I’m in this dark place, I’m not too pleasant to be around. I forget about others and push them away.
In his life and ministry, Jesus offers an alternative way of living. Embracing our vulnerability and imperfection, allows us to be more fully human. Jesus' way moves in the direction of our created selves. God made you and me with flaws. Beauty and invitation are in this realization.
You don’t need to chase unattainable perfection. Neither do I. Instead, God asks us just to be the human creature that God designed. Broken yet wonderfully made, we are encouraged to connect with others who are as flawed and broken. In the process, we will discover their God-given wonder and beauty.
This week, you will read stories about and be asked to consider the following focal statement:
When the path gets rocky, you might deny your imperfections and limitations. Jesus invites you to turn to God by accepting vulnerability.
Thank you for opening your emails, breathing, reading, reflecting, praying, and making a plan to connect with others during this coming week.
In Christ,
Walt
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