Day 5: Smoke and Mirrors

When I was little I was fascinated with magic. One of my favorite things to do was to play with those little kid's magic kits which would include things like cheap card tricks and how to make a ball disappear under a cup. We would go on vacation and I would always beg my parents to take me to the magic store at the beach which had all the fancy tricks. I'd pick one out and practice with it until I could impress my parents and friends. I felt like I really could really do magic or at least make people think I could.

But it's not really magic, is it? In the end, as amazing as the trick is, it's still just a trick. It may be clever but it's just an illusion. It boils down to smoke and mirrors.

I never got to have a magic show of my own. I wasn't really interested enough in the tricks or patient enough to keep up with it. But today, I am a master of illusion. With the wave of a hand, a little bit of smoke, some mirrors, and lights I can show you how perfect I am. I can cover up mistakes with a smile and hide problems and sadness with a smile on my face. You may gasp at the magic of it all, revel in the "magic," and wonder how in the world I do it, but you'll never know. The magician never reveals his secrets.

Unfortunately, it's not really a secret. This magician's trick is nothing new. This one has been in the church family for generations. It seems that us magicians walk through those church doors (or into that church group of friends, or whatever) and instantly we start our tricks.

I hope you've found a group of people where you can put down your own illusions. I hope you've found a place where you are welcome as you really are and are encouraged without any fancy tricks. But, I fear that many in our time have fallen into this trap. It seems in so many places I have found groups of perfect looking Christians. The problem with this? Perfect people don't actually exist. My campus minister always said if you found the perfect church you shouldn't join it. The reason? It won't be perfect any more (and it never was!).

I think we really cheat ourselves when we "put on the face." When we look at the people that God chose to do his mighty works in the Bible, we don't see perfect people. We see broken people, adulterers, murderers, prostitutes, people struggling with their faith and more...

Consider Paul for a moment. When we first meet him he is not the ideal Christian. He is on the hunt for Christians, assisting in their imprisonment and even murder! But God changed that. Paul later writes in his first letter to Timothy:

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:16, NIV)

Paul's incredible turn around is a huge demonstration of God's grace and mercy. But if he had chosen to play the magician and demonstrate a false perfect life, we would miss out on the incredible working of God's power here!

I know authenticity is one of those buzz words that is sometimes thrown around in churchy circles, but I really hope this one is going to be more than just buzz. Communities where people can come together, mistakes and all, and grow and love God together are more able to carry out the will of God unhindered. If we don't have anything to hide, then can use that energy we've been using doing magic tricks for something else!

I think there are a lot of people out there that are frustrated with their faith because they feel the pressure to put on a great show. I think that these people are out there because I've been there before and I know how it feels. I know what it's like to doubt and to wrestle with questions that seem to have no answers and still put on a smile while the insides are in turmoil. I know what it's like to be totally away from God's word and out of communication with the Almighty and still showing up like I have all the answers. And I know that it is miserable.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

This verse is such a huge, earthshaking voice and your probably going to see it again here on this blog. It is incredible to realize that God can work everything for the good and this includes all the screw-ups and brokenness we bring to the table. This includes those times when we don't feel 100% on board with Christ and we're struggling to even dig out a few stable percentage points of our life for His glory. We have been redeemed! Past, present, and future. We don't need to be magicians any longer because Christ has done the unthinkable, he died to abolish our mistakes, period. And this one is no trick.

See you tomorrow.