As we made our way from the bright sun into the dark cave, it took some time for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. Even with our headlamps on it was difficult to see. We slowly felt our way along deeper into the cave, at some points the cold water came up over our waists, making me sing a nice falsetto. When we got as far back as we were allowed to go, we shined our lights all over the large cavern. We looked at the water fall and checked out the bats.
These bats brought to mind an analogy that I am hesitant to type, but know I need to. As we shined the lights in their eyes, some made nasty faces and others hid their faces. These bats were huddled together for comfort and seemed to complain about the light. The bats were huddled in what I can only describe as enclaves. I wonder if each bat has his own place, or if this is one big family. The bats were in the deepest cracks and holes, in the safest places.
What this reminds me of is Plato’s “Republic”. I believe it was Socrates who told the story of the cave dwellers who worshipped the shadows on the wall. It has been years since I have read that, but if I remember correctly, a person leaves the cave, experiences real life and then is killed when he comes back and tries to convince the cave dwellers of his experience.
These enclaves of bats (here we go) remind me of people. I could imagine each enclave having its own belief. Some are baptists, some are catholics, some are mormons, buddhists, atheists, agnostics, republicans, democrats….. Have I covered all the bases? You get what I mean. These enclaves are people who get together because they agree. It doesn’t matter what they agree on. They simply hang together to be validated. This is simply part of being human, wanting to belong. Wanting something to believe in, and there is safety in numbers.
I can’t generalize this whole analogy, but I will bring this right down to my own experience. This experience I have had is with the spirit of religion. Growing up evangelical. Growing up in the American Baptist Church. Going to evangelical camps, going to a Southern Baptist college. I was taught the Bible. I was taught scripture. I was taught that the bible is the authoritative word of God. I got taught that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. I believe I was taught good doctrine. I was taught how to be a good christian. I was surrounded by people who truly lived this. I was surrounded by basically fruitless christianity. I tried hard and was surrounded by people who strived to live a christian life.
I was taught that the Bible is the Word of God. Then I read the Bible and can’t figure out how our religion makes these claims and then functions the way it does. I couldn’t figure out why I never saw miracles. I couldn’t figure out why christians were so worried about so much. Somehow we take Jesus’ words about not worrying about a thing and find a world full of exceptions. The best christians have lists full of things to worry about. Somehow we hear Jesus say to abandon it all and follow him, and I don’t see that happening very often. I read what is supposed to be Jesus’ words about the Kingdom of God and somehow feel like we have no urgency. If we truly believed Jesus was coming back, would we behave differently? Do we believe there is a coming heaven? Do we believe we will be judged and rewarded on our deeds? Do we believe people will actually go to Hell?
I am not writing this to knock any of the enclaves, as I pursue the light, as I have tasted freedom, I just desire that people I love will make it out of the cave. I have been in and out of the cave. I have strived, I have failed, I have learned that I am not a good christian. After the whole ‘Public Drinking’ blog, and the emails I have been working on, I have realized how proud I am. I have realized how easily offended I am. People have asked when I ‘got saved’, as if that incident doesn’t happen to someone who is truly saved. I can say right now that it is only by the grace of God that that is all I am dealing with at the moment. I can say that if I don’t walk with God and put on the armor every day another incident like that would be bound to happen. Satan is just waiting for us to let down our guard so he can deceive us again. For years I have been blind to Satan’s schemes, that I have pretended he didn’t exist. For years I pretended that if I ignored God, then the whole spiritual world would just disappear. For years I lived in bondage, handcuffed to the lies, because I never was taught how to live in the light.
That is why I am writing this, I am sitting here typing because I believe someone will read this and take another step in working out their salvation with fear and trembling. That someone will realize they are being deceived, that the addiction or eating disorder, or inability to sleep or depression, that anger issues and lust issues are just their own failures is a lie! That even as a christian, washed in Jesus blood, demons can deceive us. These demons tell you you don’t need God. They tell you God doesn’t love you. You are not good enough. Then you become a christian, and Satan tells you that that is enough. Satan doesn’t want you to walk in your authority, Satan doesn’t want you to walk in freedom. Satan doesn’t want you to bear fruit. Satan tells you that just being a good christian is enough. SATAN LOVES RELIGION! Satan loves that we return the favor to God and remake God in our image. Satan loves the box we keep God in. Satan loves our churches. Our huddled bats in the cave.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace…. you know this. If your life is not evidence of these, then something is wrong. Are you full of joy? Do people love you because of God’s love in you? So I am just trying to say there is more than living in the cave, just trying to tell someone that life can be more than they have. I am not a cave dweller, we were not created to be cave dwellers.
Pursue truth! Don’t accept any counterfeits. Run toward the light! Jesus is the only truth. Jesus is the only light, the only way to complete joy and abundant life…. Pursue it!
