Earlier on this month I had a short post on walking in the light. I want to spend some time exploring what I meant by what I wrote.
Depression is real.
I am aware of some well-meaning brothers and sisters who wish to think otherwise. I know some well meaning saints in Christ who are quick to demonise it and exaggerate it and those who suffer from it.
Thankfully, however much we go over the top or seek to ignore something, it doesn’t exclude its reality. Having suffered from it on previous occasions, I am sensitive to others who also go through it. Indeed sometimes when I consider what David recalls in his famous 23rd Psalm about walking through the shadow of death I sometimes think that for people it is going through the stages of depression and the only thing that can help us through it is the guidance of the Great Shepherd Himself.
Recently a number of those dear to me have been involved in some sort of episode to do with depression, either going through it themselves or knowing loved ones of their own who are going through it.
One thing depression reminds me of is an overwhelming thick darkness enshrouding everything. No matter what the time of day and what activity it just appears as though everything is engulfed in a hopeless and helpless pit. In such a scenario it is only too easy to remain isolated and sinking further and further in the gloom.
With all the best efforts of psychotherapy, medication and certain techniques, often it is a waiting process and the best thing loved one can do is to patiently wait and surround the person with as much evidence of the light of love as possible. Understanding what is going on is so important to the process of responding appropriately. Not falling for any of the stereotypical responses to depression that sadly abounds, but going out of the way to be present and show love is the answer.
So what does this have to do with walking in the light?
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
What occurred to me as I heard another friend going through the hard times of depression is how often we look to people who appear to have it altogether. People in positions of responsibility are perceived to be honourable in every way and are meant to handle any difficulty with poise and dignity. Yet for some such is the pressure of keeping up appearances that it is overwhelming. Such is the pressure of maintaining control that we actually lose control.
The reason for the relationship with God is that He wishes for us to have a relationship with only pure, holy, light and true loving entity in the universe and as we engage with Him, He brings to light our inadequacies and flaws not for embarrassment but to purify us. In the light of that we no longer need to hide behind the pressures to have it altogether. We no longer need to hide behind positions of power to claim an integrity or a lifestyle that is not there.
The most liberating thing of life in Christ is that I do not have to be anything other than who God calls me to be and that requires a great degree of transparency and a desire to know Him who sets me free. One thing I’ve learnt in 2011 – the hard way – is that this is not an individual exercise. 1 John 1:7 talks about fellowship with each other – light leads to true fellowship. Light leads to understanding what is there and negotiating any obstacles being clear on who and what the goal is. There has to be a degree of refreshing honesty where it’s not about titles and positions and dogma, it’s not about ‘how we do church’ and prescribed rituals and formats. Rather speaking the truth in love it’s about building each other up – by sharing what life is like and how Jesus makes the difference as we seek to follow Him together.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2)
That kind of community life helps us to walk out of the darkness of whatever situation we’re walking through – whether that’s confessing sin or sharing about difficult dark times we’re going through. That example of real community life in Christ is an incredible witness to others of what is so different about following God and what is so amazing about His love, His goodness, His kindness and His presence in His Son.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 