An
Inkling
The
big debate of the summer was launched by Ed Snowden, when he revealed the
extent of the NSA’s surveillance. Some
support such surveillance, since it helps prevent terror attacks. Others oppose it because it gives the
government too much power over us – power which may be misused. Logical reasons can be cited for both.
Such
logic may provide the light for this debate, but its heat rises from elsewhere
– our fears of being found out. What if
they learn things about me that I don’t want anyone to know? What if my carefully crafted image is
revealed to be a façade? What if I’m
known as I am? Such fears run very deep.
Emergency bulletin: it’s too late. You’re known.
Already. Completely. Mr. Snowden is a mere piker in pulling back
such veils. The scripture has long since
laid that one bare. Here’s but one
example: No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to
the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13).
Debates
about the limits of government power are always in order. We engage in such debates with greater wisdom
when we’re not driven by our fears of being found out. It works the same with our
relationships. Once we are comfortable
being known as we are, the relational contortions driven by fear begin to fade.
And
what’s beyond debate is the great good news that the very One who knows us
fully loves us deeply – as we really are.
Indeed the verse above from Hebrews is surrounded by long descriptions
of the forgiveness we have through Jesus Christ for the very things we had
hoped to keep hidden. And from such does
true freedom come!
Here’s
looking at you (and loving you!)…
Keith
