In the opening story in the garden, the serpent tells us that if we eat the fruit, we can be like God.
In other words,
we can lack
lack.
If we just GET this one thing, the lack will fall away and we will achieve everlasting comfort.
This is not just a story written into the book of Genesis thousands of years ago. It’s the narrative that has vandalized and burdened the human heart for thousands (and thousands) of years.
It’s why advertising is so powerful. It’s based on the Oedipal story in the garden that says, “Once you break down the barriers to the prohibition between you and your desire, you’ll achieve wholeness.”
Once I get this new iPhone, all will be well.
Once this person becomes president, this country will be great again (or stay great).
Once my kid gets into this college, she’ll be set for success.
If I answer every email, my mind will be at rest.
(The list goes on…)
Any person or community that echoes any form of this line from the serpent - yes, even a church - is technically Satanic. Any church that tells you that you need to do, be, get, say, or believe something in order to achieve ultimate wholeness is aligned with the devil.
The challenge of the Christian church is to exorcise this voice. To banish it.
“The technology of exorcism is grace.”
Peter Rollins
This is why demons were terrified of Jesus. His eternal word of grace is pure 200 proof acceptance - not on account of what they’ve done or left undone. But on account of the God who came to reconcile the world.
Grace isn’t a second chance to reach an ideal. Grace shatters all ideals and exposes them as the illusions they are. It doesn’t even say, “You’re fine how you are.” It says, “You’re not fine how you are and I’m bonkers about you anyway.”
It’s interesting how this is what affects change.
Not, “You need to change.”
But, “You’re not only accepted, but loved and even liked, as-is.”
Not, “You can lack the lack.”
But, “To love and be loved in the lack is at the heart of what it means to be human.”
In Joy,
Jonas+
The life of faith is a movement,, not from vice to virtue, but from virtue to grace. And that's not because the faithful are moving, but rather because they are being moved.
What an uplifting way to end my week. Thank you for these words. I was a part of that "lack" for so long and miserable for so long. Now that I see it for the lies that they are, I am so saddened by how most let marketing steer their course.