Hope You're Getting Dis

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Yesterday on the way into work I was reflecting on the words ‘disenchanted’ and ‘disillusioned’. It occurred to me that these are usually related to negative experiences. In the larger scheme of things though, this process is actually a very good thing.

Think about it – we have been under a chant or an illusion. We have been fooled and blinded by that which is actually not true but an apparition that keeps us bound in a falsehood, however pleasant that apparition may appear. Of course the process itself is not too positive. It’s not great to know you’ve been hoodwinked. Knowing that something has been had over you for any period of time can be frustrating and annoying. However, the truth that sets you free to wake up to reality as it is can actually help to allow things to rest on a sound basis.

The experience of being under a spell can make you wary of being put there again and warn others off likewise. The deal with being disillusioned and disenchanted is not to allow that to become entrenched positions of being dispirited, discouraged and disappointed. Each new step in the world of reality maybe nerve-wracking and be tentative at first, but at least these are steps taken in the real world, at least the solidity and reliability of where you walk lets you know that it won’t lead to such an experience again.

Earlier this year I posted an entry about Keith Green’s Your Love Broke Through. I was thinking about it again recently in regard to this issue. It is one of the saddest things in the world to know that the god of this world has blinded people’s eyes to the gospel. The concept of being blinded is so evident when people are being captured by different pursuits so completely that they are wrapped up in it. The illusion is complete by the apparently beatific looks on their face as they engage in their chosen passion. It is apparent by the way I can be so deceived and were it not for God’s abundant mercies a rang of fads and phases could have overwhelmed me.

That is why I’m so glad for the opportunities to see the eyes of people opened by the reality of the gospel and the need to follow the way that Jesus makes clear. As I take further steps on this journey with some tricky paths ahead, I trust that I will not fall into a spell of legalism or the enchanting tones of licentiousness. I trust that my heart will not be deceived by independence, or crippled by unhealthy dependence on others. I trust that as Paul continues to say in the same section of scripture that the light will shine out of darkness in the face of Jesus Christ.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd