“This one thing I do; leaving the past behind, and turning
to all that God has for me.” (Philippians 3:13, MPV)
The memories and cares of the past inflict
many a man and woman.
In my work in a local counseling agency, I
see this fact replicated hundred of times on a yearly basis. I suppose the most
heinous circumstance that inflicts mankind is guilt over past mistakes and
events. Past People, Places and Things engulf our lives.
In the movie, “A Beautiful Mind” John Nash
arrives at a crucial place in life. Dr. Nash was, (and is) a wonderfully gifted
professor of Mathematics at Princeton University. Unfortunately, he was also
Schizophrenic. His fame proceeded him, as he slowly sank into delusional,
paranoic, and psychotic behavior.
But as the result of a combination of self-actualization, medical treatment, prescription medication and intensive effort, John achieved relief from his confusion, doubt and pain.
We see him bending down to talk to a
little girl; a little girl who is not there. He gently strokes her
long, black, silky hair, and he smiles a whimsical smile. His words portray a
wonderful picture; “Baby girl, I’m sorry, but I can’t talk to you anymore.” And
even as the precious, little wisp begins to cry silent tears, John walks away
from her. Now Dr. Nash steps up to his roommate; a roommate who never was, but who has befriended
him over many years. And he utters similar words, as before. “Charles, you’ve
been a good friend to me, but I won’t speak to you anymore.”
I think John Nash has a lot to teach us.
Too many of us entertain our
delusions and demons. Oh, I’m not talking literal demon infestation here, but
I’m talking about those habits, memories and behavior patterns that inflict us.
We play with them like we play with marbles. We entertain them like we
entertain our best friends.
We are given “free will” and we find ourselves
living out Romans Chapter 7; “What I would do, I do not, and that which I
loathe, that I do.” (7:19, MPV)
The truth? We are familiar with our
“demons”; so familiar that we can’t easily give them up. Our defense
mechanisms, habits and memories have weighed us down so long that we feel naked
without them. They have been friends “that stick closer than a brother.”
I think that true religion and ultimate
friendship with God requires us to bid adieu to our “demons.” Like John Nash,
we must bid farewell to these “little Caspers,” and turn to all that God has
prepared for us. The ghosts of our pasts have haunted us long enough.
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