Today’s sermon was about Samson, Delilah, Samson’s downfall, and his triumphant death. I couldn’t help but reflect on the sadness of this account, and the way this sadness gives birth to such victory.
I started to reflect on the fact that we can live for so long being confused and frustrated by those we love and are so close to. Our lives are intertwined with theirs but they seem completely ambivalent to the way our fate is linked into theirs. Yet, when they fail colossally, even as a result of their deliberate choices, even when their failures ruin our lives, we almost unfailingly rejoice in their redemption. This is one of the great mysteries of life.
To realize how much of an enigma this is, contrast the person who cultivates up hard work, obedience, creativity, industry, entrepreneurship, discipline, and exudes success. Their faithful attention to life’s details is rarely celebrated: they are relied upon, but not hailed as triumphant. If they are not lucky enough to make it to the very highest echelons of their endeavors, they disappear into the backdrop of our lives.
These faithful ones are in great danger if they have not found purpose larger than their work and reputation. But for those who seem to be children of madness, meaning is their constant companion–it is always near their hands waiting to be grasped; just a few steps behind waiting to be embraced. One might think this is weird, but it becomes apparent after a moment of reflection. For those of us who observe madness, we see the meaning clearly: “Imagine what this person could really be if they recognized who they are in God.” The meaning is in their escaping blindness and being liberated into a new identity.
There is something irresistible about witnessing redemption. No matter in whom, when, or where we observe this liberation, we celebrate it just as intensely as we do the most amazing accomplishments of man (and woman). To us who despise indiscretion, we see the purpose in others clearly, but despair in the vanity of the ordered life we believe we live.
In our despair, we indicate we don’t acknowledge the madness in our own lives. I’ve always thought that the most radically transformed people make the best witnesses because they have no room in their hearts for pretense or outward appearances. Their outward appearance is a high fidelity image of their heart’s condition, so the transformation is vividly apparent. But those who have always valued faithfulness are in danger of self-righteousness: our sense of duty may possibly lead to a need to preserve outward appearances does not give us the space we need to realize and renovate the madness within our own hearts. Because we don’t recognize the madness in our lives, we don’t see our lives’ meaning.
Ask God to give you a clear view of the madness in your heart. Then ask Him to empower you to fight the battle in your heart and mind. While your mind is being transformed, my hope is that you will be energized by the new meaning you find in your inner life.