Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV.

This morning in our Friday Retreat, we listened to a video by John Ortberg that helps us see that until we admit to ourselves that we are powerless over our ultimate problem – that we are all of us messed up…human…we are stuck. When an alcoholic goes to an AA meeting and admits they are an alcoholic, they are welcomed by the group because each member of that group understands completely what it is to be an alcoholic and there is no need for pretense. When we go to a church and pretend to be “perfect”, we are stuck. Pretense – theirs and ours – will not help us. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16. Confessing to one another helps us see how human we are and then the power of shame is diminished. And then we can see clearly. We need help. We need compassion. We need Creator God.

In so many ways that resonated with our chapter, Ezekiel 20. It’s a very long chapter. In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and they sat down in front of me. v. 1. And God laid out the long history of Israel and their rejection of Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, v. 2-49. And this verse caught my attention…“I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not follow the statutes of your parents or keep their laws or defile yourselves with their idols. I am the Lord your God; follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. Keep My Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” v. 18-20. The elders came, not because they were cut to the heart and realized their need for God’s help – and God would have none of that pretense. Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parales?’” v. 49. God knew their heart and their need. He knows ours, too.

It takes great need to realize how much we need Creator God. And when we come to that sacred need, He is here. As members of one body…can that not also mean as members of the human race? As members of that body we follow our own statutes, laws, idols. As members of that body we hurt and suffer. As members of that body we need the love of Creator God who gave Himself in every way for us so that when our hearts are cut to the quick and nothing else will help us, He is here! And loving Him and having compassion for one another is the only way forward as we trust God to lead us to a better way that is always with Him. Cut to the heart…no need for pretense.