Whitewash

“Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?” Ezekiel 13:10-12 NIV

The NLT version says that people are trying to reinforce the flimsy wall by covering it with whitewash. They are actually trying to make the shoddily built wall stand by covering it up with good looks. Does this sound familiar? Are we, today, guilty of building up lives based on earthly things, things which will not last and may fall at the first moments of trial, and not things of God?

Or, do we try to prop up our spiritual lives with acts and rituals which look good on the outside, but have little to do with building us up on the inside and in our relationship with Christ? Do we think that our clever cover-ups will fool anyone if our lives are subject to challenge or suffering?

If we are assaulted by this world that we trust, and our feeble “fences” are broken or even destroyed, where will we turn to then? Will we continue to try to hide behind the “whitewash,” and continue to attempt to deceive others into thinking our lives are perfect, or will we turn to the only One who can truly hold us up and restore us to a structure truly capable of withstanding the storms?

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”

Psalm 28:7