The darkness we spin.

I was reading a post from someone doing a Scriptural word study, and my head spun. And then I saw that post was reblogged, and I went to the person's blog who had reblogged it, and I read their about page and then my head spun again.

I think we often spend too much time trying to decipher mysteries that have already been revealed through Jesus Christ.

We have a desire for the mysterious, the "unrevealed," the "magical," the darkness we spin with a bit of light.

And we often strive for purity when that's a losing battle on our own accord.

So maybe simpler is better.

We're all sinners. As Scarlet Hiltibidal puts it in He Numbered the Pores on My Face, it's not good guys versus bad guys. It's us versus Jesus.

We're all the bad guys.

I'm not saying I don't applaud those who share the truth of the Gospel. That's what I intend to do with every word I write. But I sometimes think we edge down rabbit holes and slip until we're looking up at an impossible climb. We don't have to make following Jesus rocket science.

And we don't have to make ourselves seem holier for being on the "right" side.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. (Colossians 2:18)

Because it's not about us at all. It's about God working through our past hurts and current sin and ugliness to change our minds and move our gaze towards Him.

We don't do any of this on our own volition. And it's not a matter of book smarts or elevating ourselves as the result of a seemingly pious act of meekness. It's a matter of offering a truly humble (and honest) heart to that same mighty God.

If we're not careful, we make this a human process, and if we choose to build ladders for others to climb, instead of climbing down to them to share our testimonies and show what God can do for their damaged hearts, too, then we risk living in a world of mere words with no real repentance.

So, my prayer is to keep looking outward, to keep remaining obedient to the Holy Spirit, and sharing who Christ is with those who desperately need Him.

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“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30)