The irony in our self-obsessed culture is that we have abandoned the greatest practices for truly knowing ourselves. Something as simple as seeking the truth is often buried under layers of self-image. When we follow this path, we are led astray. We are following deception.
We create an avatar for ourselves, a mask we can hide behind. Because the truth is vulnerable. The truth is a medicine we’d rather avoid.
The proper path forward is simple. We face the truth, and tell the truth. The truth can sometimes be painful. It can lead us to see that we need to change, and change can be hard. But Truth is our friend. It leads us to reality. It sends us to a necessary dependence on God. The idea that we don’t need to depend on anyone is simply a form of self-deception. The Bible calls us “sheep” and “children” for a reason.
But, like a good two year old, we’d rather do everything ourselves. “Me do it.” The only problem is the usual “me do it” demand from the two year old is normally followed by “Help me mommy.” We want independence, until we don’t want independence.
A much better way is the simple and pure way. To just be who we are: children. To embrace our need to depend on God. To receive the acceptance Jesus bought and paid for. And to seek to please our Creator with all we do, which fulfills the purpose for which we were created.
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”
– 2 Corinthians 11:3