There’s an elephant in the room. He sits there in the corner, acting all nonchalant, as though he’s always been there like an old piece of furniture from ages past, like he’s almost a part of the architecture. He’s very good at what he does. He gives off innocence and normalcy and has clearly become a part of the background scenery. Most would not even notice his presence were he not so big. He has a smile on his face and what appears to be a twinkle in his eye of joviality. But, I have caught the slight movement of his narrowing eyes as he saw me glancing at him. And I’ve heard the hiss of air escape his taut lips upon my attention. He surely does not want me to call attention to his disguise. He doesn’t want to be addressed. He prefers the anonymity of others ignorance or perhaps indifference is a better word.
The thing is, when you see someone heading in the wrong direction how can you just ignore the obvious? Truly, if you care for someone, can you be silent? There really is no such thing as “neutral” when love is part of the equation. And aren’t we called to love one another? Not from a heightened position of authority, but rather from a kneeling position of grief for a treasure about to be lost. When you cherish another in your heart, the phony elephant must be addressed for who he pretends to be. He is no savior. He brings no freedom. His soul purpose is to crush with his weighty lies. He may look like a savior. He may promise freedom. And he may speak with words of eloquence. But in the end he will crush.
It takes some courage to speak words of pain into another heart. I’m not talking about fool-hearted bravado but valor. It’s a risky business for sure. There may be a backlash; a barrage of venomous anger shot in your direction for the intrusion you have brought. You may lose the love of the very one you were trying to save. Let’s face it, it can go either way. But I think it is a risk that is worth taking. After all, what is the alternative, to just sit back and watch them circle the drain? Can we in all honesty call that love? Better to reach out the hand and have it slapped than to keep it safely tucked into a pocket until the drain has run dry.
This courage does not come naturally, but is drawn from the One whose love is greater than mine.
“My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God‘s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back, and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.” James 5:19-20 MSG