the mirage
“You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you - keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)
Paul is such a prophet for our times. Spiritual junk food? Catchy opinions that tickle our fancy? Mirages instead of truth? All endemic in his times and ours. He exhorts Timothy to simply love Him, His message and to keep focus. In a world of distractions, just steadfastly keep your eye on faithhopelove.
What is a mirage? Something that appears real from afar, but upon closer inspection, fades away. It isn’t real at all. And this world is full of them. I am surrounded by mirages, each more fake than the last. Fame, popularity, reputation, success, happiness, the pursuit of pleasure above all else, significance. All mirages. All pools of water that fade away when we finally lay our hands on it. It was never living water to begin with. They were never real.
And yet, we base out whole lives on them, fashion our identities and confidence around them. Everyday, I can see myself chasing after these mirages, hoping one of them will be substantial enough to grab a hold off. But it’s a chasing after the wind. Futile.
That’s why the truth sets us free. It liberates us from this mindless, heartless game that no one can win. I want the truth of Christ’s love, His grace than conquers sin, His Spirit that causes us to live and rise as children of this Earth, to propel all I am and do. It is truth that Paul encourages Timothy to pursue, and truth that wipes away the mirages of this world and reveals them for what they really are.
If we’re not careful, entire groups and communities and cities can turn into mirages, a pool of nothingness that is built on the ghosts of fake successes and pursuits. Maybe that’s why God comes across so angry and hell-bent on destroying cities in Amos that have lost their way. These cities have become empty, dead. They have no more truth.
I don’t want that. I know I am so often a mirage-chaser, never taking time to centre myself on what matters. I can’t let that happen.
Oh Lord, let the truth set me free. I chase after the wind, and I don’t know how to stop. Teach me. Save me from my sin. I was made for so much more.
I am your son. Made by grace. Made for freedom. Made for so much more. Amen.
