the walk

A dilapidated barn, a creek and a corn field. My imaginary friend and I had a great time exploring on our walk today.

Wanting company this morning but with no one to be found, I just pretended. It wasn’t as good as the real thing of course, but hey, what’s a guy to do? My friend may not say much—in truth, nothing—but we still had a blast.

I had walked down my street a million times before, but this time decided to check out the creek running through the corn field. It was absolutely wonderful. We found a log right next to the water and sat down. A little cold on the backside, but well worth it.

And there we sat, me and my imaginary friend. Listening to the water. Admiring the ice sculptures all around us. And checking out the animal tracks leading up to and away from the water.

Seven years of living in this area and I had never had the nerve to explore this area before. But with the land now for sale, it seemed like a good idea. If someone decided to challenge me, I had  my story down pat: “I’m a potential buyer and checking things out. I may not look like I can afford a piece of property this size, but I actually have millions.”

Fortunately I was never challenged. Thus, I never had to repent for telling a fib.

My friend wanted to walk in the corn field, so we did. Even though it was covered with ice, it was surprisingly easy to walk on. For some reason my friend really enjoyed that part of our exploration more than everything else. Something about bringing back childhood memories…

The horizon in every direction seemed miles and miles away. And the sun’s reflection on the ice-covered ground filled our eyes with the glory of our great God’s creation. Who would have thought that a simple corn field could provide such a spiritual high?

Even though my friend was reluctant, we decided to explore an old barn at one end of the field. The roof looked like it would collapse at any moment and the floor (such as it was) was filled with gigantic holes, but in we went.

We wondered how many people had sat in the overturned and rust-covered chair in the corner. And even though we were both curious to see if anything was in the ratty-looking chest of drawers against the far wall, neither of us had the nerve to look inside. Who knows what yucky stuff  lurks inside.

Once outside, my friend seemed more at ease as we strolled leisurely at the edge of the corn field where it butts up against the creek. If we had brought a camera, we’d probably still be there. It was a photographer’s delight.

But, alas, we finally decided it was time to head back. My friend offered me a piece of chocolate for the long walk home, but when I saw it had nuts, I politely declined. Don’t much like them. A smile told me that was just fine, because then my friend wouldn’t have to share.

While a piece of chocolate (sans nuts) would have hit the spot, I didn’t let the disappointment spoil the experience. It had been one of the more memorable walks in quite some time.

A dilapidated barn, a creek and a corn field. And all on my own street. Sweet.

Gee…I wonder where my imaginary friend and I are going tomorrow morning?

But this time—please—no nuts.

“He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth.'”1

1  Job 37:6

acting the part

He fooled a lot of people, including my employer, who allowed him to work with elementary school kids. And he fooled the local police, who then hired him to protect people.

Eventually the entire city became aware of his dark secret when he was arrested for molesting a child.

As I think back to when we worked as peers, I remember agreeing with co-workers how weird it was for him always wanting to be around kids. It was one thing to like kids and enjoy them, but there always seemed something a little odd about him. And yet, back then—25+ years ago—background checks were rare and if you could do the job, well, that’s all that mattered.

The man obviously wasn’t what he appeared to be.

But that got me to wondering how many of us are. That is, how many of us—followers of Jesus—are what we appear to be?

For instance, we may be one thing at church on Sunday mornings, but entirely different persons elsewhere.

Sunday mornings we’re all dressed up, carrying our Bibles and on our best behavior. No coarse joking, gossiping or cursing in church. Uh, uh, no way. Not here. Not at church.

But as we drive away the metamorphosis begins to take place and is complete by the time we get home. We’ve morphed back into the real us. The ones who, well, aren’t as holy, godly and on fire for the Lord as we pretended to be earlier.

Does any of this sound familiar? Does reading this make you feel a little uncomfortable? If so, you need to force yourself to keep reading, even if you don't want to. And why? Because your spiritual health is important.

Remember when Jesus confronts the Jewish religious leaders at the end of His earthly ministry? In one encounter He calls them “hypocrites” six times. Here’s just a sampling:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”1

Did you know that the Greek word translated as “hypocrites” means actors or stage players? In other words, Jesus is calling them pretenders.

·         They’re pretending to be religious.

·         They’re pretending to be lovers of God.

·         They’re pretending to be something they’re not.

What about you? Are you pretending to be something you’re not? Are you acting the part on Sunday mornings, only to return to the real you the rest of the week?

Again, does reading this make you uncomfortable? If so, it could be you’re acting hypocritically. Maybe, just maybe, you’ve been pretending to be something that you’re not.

Please don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean you’re in the same league as the two-faced religious leaders. And it certainly doesn’t imply that you’re in the same category as my co-worker who was a child molester.

But if you act one way at church and then another way during the week, well, it sure sounds like you’re doing a little pretending to me.

You may fool me and everyone else at church, but you’re not fooling God. The outside of the “cup” may be clean, but the Lord sees what’s on the “inside.”

What’s the solution to your problem? Step one is admitting your hypocrisy. Is it easy? Heck no. But that’s where you have to start.

Step two isn’t much easier: You need to forget outward appearances and focus on your inner man or woman. You need to concentrate on the “inside.” Ask God to forgive you for your hypocrisy and tell Him you want to be changed from the inside out.

Mean it. Commit to it. And then watch the Lord go to work.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”2

1  Matthew 23:25-26

2  Hebrews 4:16