Band-Aid Christianity
In seminary, we lived in an ancient apartment. While hurrying to get ready for a ministry event, I slammed the medicine cabinet door a bit too hard. The mirror proceeded to come unhinged and hit the countertop. As I turned to get out of the way, a piece of glass sliced a 6-inch gash into my calf. I could not see the severity from my vantage point, so I just grabbed a towel to try to stop the bleeding. If you have stayed with me this far in this gross story, bless your heart. Hang with me as we move from my external issues to the internal ones.
You see, I was running late and this “little” mishap was thwarting my plan, so I just asked Chris to slap a band-aid on the wound. He looked me straight in the eye and said, there is not a band-aid around that is going to fix your problem. So instead of going to church, we went to the emergency room. While I was lying face down, humiliated, the doctor remarked to Chris that he did not know too many surgeons who could replicate a cut that deep and precise. Congratulations! As I limped out with my leg stitched up, it stirred some spiritual conversations. Far too many times in my sin, I have been tempted to rush along, forgo confession and repentance and just slap a band-aid on it. I have things to do and people to please. I have also employed sin stop-gap measures, confessing to others that I will deal with my sinful habits later. When asked how my spiritual walk is going, I might just opt to slap a “I am fine smile” across my face, when in reality, I am struggling with a severe unforgiveness infection under the surface.
So, this week I come sober and humbled as we look at David and Bathsheba. I understand all too well what it looks like to minimize sin. Just in case I forgot, all I have to do is look down at my right leg and see the scar to remember. We can’t cover it up; we need something new to be created. “Create in me a clean heart" (Psalm 51:10) is a prayer that you and I can lift up multiple times a day. Only God can create a pure heart out of nothing. Only God can supernaturally fix a heart that has been broken by the destructive effects of sin! So, whatever sin you are struggling with in your life right now, resist the urge to reach for a quick cover-up. Ask God to make you the chief repenter in your relationship with Him and others. Today is the day to run to your Savior, cast your sin and cares upon Him, and cry out for Him to create a clean and genuine heart.
Leading with a Limp,
