Revolution of our Filter

The human body is an amazing, frustrating at times, creation.  We have organs that are responsible for balancing out our health and our happiness.  We release hormones when we need extra strength in times of stress, or when we feel really good and want to relax.  We have many organs responsible for controlling every little action we take and every little feeling we feel.  An organ designated for filtering our blood, our liver, is one of my favorites.  We do so many things to destroy this organ from alcohol, to illegal substances, to far too much sugar, etc.  But it compensates and filters nonetheless.  The human mind, conscience as it were, has a filter too.   Let’s call it our soul for fun.  The ultimate human organ, our soul has been broken, however it continues to do its job and filter.  Maybe a few stories will make this a little more clear.

Gina, a beautiful, intelligent, talented young woman used to do talent shows for her family.  When she missed a step in her routine she would be disciplined with a wooden paddle that hung in the laundry room.  Spare the rod, spoil the child was truly a staple in her home.  Gina could recite scripture, and knew to save herself for marriage.  She couldn’t watch any movies that implied magic for fear of witchcraft, and she certainly couldn’t miss a Sunday morning church service for that would be abandoning the gathering of believers.  The picture painted by Gina was one of strict adherence to the bible, according to how her parents saw the bible, and anything outside of this required stern physical and emotional discipline.  Gina found herself abused for the sake of God.  Her filter was broken.  She did indeed save herself for marriage and found herself in an abusive marriage full of neglect, abuse, and heartache.  The way Gina saw the world was terrifying.  She was trapped, abused, fearful, and lacking any hope.  The only way she could be a Christian was to stick by her man, and follow the rules set in place by her parents so long ago.  Anything else would make her doomed for Hell.  She knew nothing of grace.

Timothy, a homosexual raised in a Christian home was abandoned by his family.  He was left in a program designed to help homosexuals turn straight.  The program involved watching hours, and hours and hours of straight porn followed by exhaustive questioning about which parts he enjoyed.  He was highly encouraged to please himself during these multiple pornography sessions.  Eventually he would lie and say he was straight just to get out.  His filter is broken.  He sees the world as either being a Christian who hates gays, or as a man who must rescue the gays himself from the abuse of these families.  He knows nothing of grace, only a cause to fight for and a hatred that festers.

James, a man raised in a religiously conflicted home was abused daily by his parents.  His mother with her lack of action more than anything (her filter was broken too, long ago), and his father who was never there. When he was there he was swinging fists and weapons.  When James would attend school he was so quiet, and intelligent that he often found the favor of teachers and the hatred of fellow classmates.  So on his way home from school he would be beaten by bullies, and when he arrived home he would be beaten by his father.  James’ filter was broken.  The world was a hopeless place, filled with misery, and no love for anyone who wasn’t powerful.  He knew nothing of grace, just the power of self-help.

I’ve heard hundreds of stories like these.  The journey with God, with Jesus, with the Holy Spirit is meant to be one that transforms, heals and restores our filter.  Sometimes, out of default we allow our filters to be caught up in the lies of our upbringing.  We miss out on so much in life. I sincerely have no clue how anyone lives a healthy, real life without Jesus.  Your filter may be broken, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.  My prayer is God allows you the opportunity to recognize where your filter is broken because trust me if you’re human, it’s broken without His healing power.  I’m ready for us to see the world, ourselves, and ultimately God correctly.  I’m ready for a revolution of my soul.