We are rather adept at hiding things.
At keeping hidden those parts of our lives we don’t want advertised.
For we have a certain perception of ourselves we wish to maintain, and we recognize the threat these undesirable actions post. Thus we expend significant time and energy to obfuscate certain actions and distance ourselves from them. To varying degrees, we live a double life with the hopes of experiencing the best of both worlds.
Yet, fostering this shadow version of ourselves represents a greater threat to us than the initial actions. Left unchecked by even those closest to us and absent the fear of perception, these ‘shadow’ actions will naturally expand, and therefore increase our need to deceive those around us. The actions coupled with deceit will typically lead us to shame, which inevitably causes us to repeat the cycle and spiral.
We can and will attempt to remedy the situation alone, wanting above all to keep our indiscretions hidden. Sadly though, this veiled route only leads to disappointment. For what we ultimately require for change is to bring whatever it is into the open and lean on community for assistance.
“We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.”
Similarly, Paul didn’t try to keep aspects of God’s Word hidden to allow him to manipulate people through some tiered level of mysterious understanding. Instead, he laid bare every part of the message in the open where it remains. For transparency is a wonderful accountability mechanism that also serves as an indicator we should take heed of.
“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants....”
In the open the process takes care of itself. Inviting others in and living righteously relieves a massive amount of stress we place on ourselves to hide our indiscretions. Let the sunlight in and see those actions for what truly are. Admit your need for help, accept it, and live wonderfully open once more