Paradox

Most things are not what they seem on the surface. I love artichokes! Even as a child, I enjoyed them. Mom would pop those green gems into hot water and boil them for about an hour. A little garlic butter or mayonnaise and you’re good to go. My friends and family who don’t like artichokes can’t get past the hard outer leaves. Those outer leaves are very tough and have sharp barbs that need clipped! The outer leaves and barbs protect the inner, tender leaves and heart. You have to peel off six to eight layers before you reach the tender, juicy leaves. Then pure heaven when you get to the heart. What a treat!

Gee, almost sounds like us human beings. Layers. The outer layer that others see. With this layer people makes judgments about us. They think they know us because of the surface layer. But it is tough and contains barbs for our protection. You don’t really get to the good stuff until some layers are peeled off. We are careful who we let in, and that’s as it should be. We need to be careful, people need to prove themselves. But we’re Christians, we should be different, or so they say.

And we are different! We are, or should be, open to be a witness to what Jesus has done in our lives. We are, or should be, open to minister to the needs of others. But it doesn’t mean that we should bare our souls, reveal our innermost core to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Ministry and witnessing are one thing. But our mentor’s, mentee’s and close friends need to be tried, tested before we reveal all. If we bare our souls to the wrong people, we are likely to be eaten by the wolves.

We do need those people with whom we can share everything. People who we hold ourselves accountable to. Our propensity to sin makes this accountability a must! But in the same breath, we need to say that there are people who cannot be trusted. They are too immature to hold a confidence. A person once said to me, “What good is there in knowing something if you can’t tell it.” Not everything needs to be told!

When Jesus was preparing to send the disciples out he said “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16, NLT). Jesus knew that there would be people who wanted to destroy them just as they tried to destroy him. In our lives we need to learn to balance wisdom and vulnerability to accomplish what he has designed, prepared us to do. We are his sheep, we follow the great shepherd.

John 10:9-10 (NLT), “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Don’t withdraw, go forward. Be gentle and wary. Be open yet guarded. "Be gentle as doves but wary as snakes" Trust and obey - - there really is no other way.