Notes from a conversation with a very important friend of mine inspire this blog entry. (Thank you, Lorna.)
You ever been shifty?
By shifty I mean behaviour suggesting underhand activities and motives. I have been shifty on a number of occasions.
I was watching an episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Nichols is chasing a forensic expert who he believes killed a girl and then bleached her inside and out. The forensic expert is guilty as sin. But he seeks to use his position of influence to set up other suspects and even goes to the point of subtly threatening Nichols with poison if he doesn’t back off.
The shifty bit comes in when the forensic murderer goes into the place where they keep evidence. Now here’s a guy well renown for his expertise and has full access to the area. On this occasion as he goes in he cannot look at colleagues with a straight face, he’s so shifty it’s a brilliant portrayal of a man wracked with guilt and desirous of covering his tracks.
You know there are brothers and sisters in church who will praise God loudly, holler and tell you how you better get right with God … who behind closed doors are losing the struggle with some depraved behaviour.
Some will preach the hot sermon. Some will teach the great lesson. Some will sing that song that moved you to tears. Some will cook the best meal you had for years. Some will sit with you and give you the impression they really know where you’re coming from.
Some will cry with you, hug you, serve you so dearly.
While that looks great and we’re blessed, the shifty living is tearing that person apart. The double life is gnawing at them. They need that release, that deliverance that space to be honest and vulnerable in saying they are not doing well. They are struggling.
They will continue to struggle until they are embraced in the confessional community of Christ that believes His love allows us to be a transparent fellowship in the light as He is the Light.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 