Separation and Solidity: Day 2
Author: Andrew Comiskey
October 15, 2020
‘The fallen condition is a
crisis in separation, and within the trauma of broken relationships resides
what is described today as the identity crisis…
Evil, is in actual fact,
separation, separation from that which completes me. Theologically speaking,
sin or evil is separation from God; psychologically speaking, it is separation
within, and ultimately, from my true of higher self:
“We know that the Son of
God has come and has come and given us understanding to know Him who is real;
indeed we are in Him who is real since we are in His Son Jesus Christ. This is
the true God, this is eternal life. My children, be on watch against false
gods.” (1 Jn 5:20, 21)
It is significant that the
Apostle John here warns of false gods, for when I am separated from God, I
posit my identity in the creature (the created) rather than the Creator. My
eyes will be focused on an idol. But looking to Him, I begin to know who I am.
Listening to Him, I begin to die to the old self-centered and self-conscious
self…With each act of obedience, my will is strengthened and I begin to grow
moral fiber; with each act of worship, my spirit is strengthened and I begin to
know of a certainty that Another is with me, and lives in me.’
(The Broken Image, pp. 30,
31)
Leanne helped me to make
the link between same-sex desires and broken relationships that hindered my
masculine integration. Using bullies and some gaps in family life, the enemy
scored a victory in persuading me that I was a louse of a guy. Idols displaced
substantial relationships that might have bolstered sexual confidence.
Payne united good theology
with good psychology. Separation drives disordered desire; union with Jesus gives
us the chance to order our desires. Still, we have choice: will we renounce the
idols we have worshipped in our distress? Will we then grow strong in our
Jesus-centered selves through real acts of worship?
‘Jesus, You help us
connect the dots between early fractured relationships and our vulnerable adult
selves. Help us to know You are there, our very real help in composing us,
bringing together disintegrated facets of ourselves. Instead of worshipping
creatures, we ask for ardor to worship You wholly.’
‘Jesus, please confirm Amy
Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court.’
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