Move the Couch…
07/03/22
The last two weeks we have focused on the combined process of forgiveness and restoration. We learned about what is true and what is false about the process of forgiveness, and then we learned that the path of restoration from sin is a process that needs the gentle support of others as we are One Body.
In the book of Acts, Peter is addressing the people and gives us a snapshot of Jesus’ ultimate plan of restoration.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:19-21
Jesus’ plan is to restore all things. Everything. All the sins are gone. All tears are wiped away. Everything as it should be. Sounds good, right? Maybe too good to be true?
I hope that we can all recognize the tension of the current reality we find ourselves in. We know how things were DESIGNED from the beginning. We know how things are GOING to be in the end. But what about our current messes in the middle? In these One Another statements that we are working through, maybe you’ve identified some areas of unhealth that needs healing. The problem is, we often try to rush or get pushed into focusing on how the ideal finished product should look. This pattern can cause us to either A.) give up on restoration or B.) do what I would call “company cleaning”.
Here is the scenario. You just find out (or remember) that you have a company of friends or family coming over to your house within the next hour. The problem: your house has about a week’s worth of dust, dirt, or dog hair, along with who knows how many tiny toys and glitter sparkles all throughout the house. What are we tempted to do? Do we cancel? (But what would they think of me!) Do we leave our house a mess and expect their unconditional love? (BUT WHAT WOULD THEY THINK OF ME!?!?!?!) Or… do we “company clean”. Pack the closets. Close the doors. And whatever you do… DON’T. MOVE. THE COUCH.
Our culture conditions us to play the comparison game in every part of our lives. This includes our spiritual health. This is damaging to us all, as well as our witness to the world. So, what do we do? We realize that our lives don’t need to be individual houses where we try to hide away our flaws. We are all in the same house. We are all the same Body. When I am struggling- I need people to be there for me. When I see someone struggling- I need to be there for them.
While we wait with anticipation for Jesus to restore everything, one of our blessings is that we can work and walk the path of restoration together. Not just to a surface level faith all about pressures and appearances, but a community of spiritual depth that is willing to humbly work together, lift away burdens, right wrongs, share, cry, hurt, forgive, and restore one square foot of our lives at a time.
Then, we don’t just keep cleaning the same surfaces to appear spotless, all the while the piles grow higher and the grime grows deeper. We work together. We get the help we need (and the time and grace we need) from others to move the heavier items, and slowly but surely workout the stains and pains that we thought we could never get clean.
So… It won’t be easy… but let’s keep our eyes open to the messes of life… keep our hearts open to our calling to live in one unified house… and for goodness sake… move the couch.