Choosing More than Appearances

Who wouldn’t want to be Bilbo the Hobbit upon finding a magic ring? Oh, the mischievous things that could be done! In addition, there would be the unique comfort that comes with the ability to turn invisible, hiding from the prying eyes of goblins, evil wizards, and judgmental or annoying people.

And there is Harry Potter with his invisibility cloak. Without it he would have been terribly vulnerable, unable to fool Lord Voldemort or slip away unseen from those uncomfortable and alarming predicaments.

The idea of being able to become invisible simply by putting on a piece of clothing or jewelry is more than mere childish fantasy or silly imaginations.

Many adults would happily embrace such a power.

 Why?

Because, there are many times in a given day we all would love to simply hide.

Whether the desire to not be seen is stirred by fear, embarrassment, shyness, guilt, or humiliation, a hiding place is something every human, sooner or later, seeks. Ever since our ancestors, Adam and Eve, disobeyed their Maker and realized they were naked, we all have looked for ways to cover up. If not with invisibility, then a disguise or some kind of camouflage (fig leaves?). The goal always is to conceal that part of ourselves we don’t want others scrutinizing.

Sure, there is danger out there. And hiding can help us feel safe, for the time being, from the vicious orcs or wicked sorcerers. But generally we just don’t want others to see what’s inside, those vulnerable, guilt-ridden rooms of our hearts. We all have those deep internal chambers that if exposed will be viewed unfavorably by others. Or they will get us into some kind of trouble.

But mainly we hide those places within where it just feels there is something wrong with us.

The Appearance of Righteousness

Thus for millennia, lacking true invisibility, humanity has practiced wearing masks and polishing appearances. If I can just look good or okay on the outside, I don’t have to deal with the things that feel ugly or shameful on the inside. Or, as long as I’m involved with good and decent activities that others will notice and approve of, what goes on in my mind and heart need not be of any concern. And we’ve gotten really good at it.

I recently read an ancient story that got me thinking about this even more. The Greek philosopher, Plato, recounts a tale in one of his dialogues about a shepherd named Gyges who finds a magic ring in an old tomb. He discovers that it can make him invisible when he wears it (perhaps inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien). With this ability, he manages to seduce the queen and conspire with her to murder her husband and then sets himself up as king.

Plato uses the myth to discuss the concept of justice. One of the characters in the dialogue declares that justice, or righteousness, is merely an outer appearance that people put on to win the approval of others. That’s all it is. For if anyone could have invisibility whenever he or she wished, no one would live a truly just or righteous life.

What’s Really Going on in There?

As I have pondered this tale, I think it clearly pokes at attitudes and mindsets that we humans easily slip into. What’s important is that we look good and have the approval of others. But we often ignore the ugly things going on inside. Is a person’s goodness or lack of it only a matter of what others see?

I wonder what kind of desires and temptations would arise if I had an invisibility ring. If I could do anything I wanted and be able to get away with it, what would I discover about myself?

The ability to hide one’s self can expose what’s inside. For example: the opportunity to remain anonymous online is why so many ugly, caustic, insulting, and unholy things can be posted there. The digital mask is a modern cloak of invisibility that hides a person’s identity but ultimately reveals the heart.

This is what I believe the unredeemed human heart naturally seeks – anonymity, a real-life quality of invisibility so that it can do what it wants to do without being accountable to anyone.

The prophet Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 ESV). And without a magic ring or cloak, the human heart seeks to disguise its deceit by managing its outer appearance so that it’s acceptable to other human eyes.

One way that an “ugly” heart can hide is by carefully selecting where it hangs out. I remember reading years ago of a psychologist’s warning that “evil people” like to hide where “good people” dwell and where good deeds are emphasized. Thus institutions of education, seminaries, non-profit charities, ministries, and churches are classic residences of those who seek anonymity.

They bask in the glow of light they never intend to make their own, using externally applauded actions to screen darkened hearts. What better place to conceal selfish agendas, narcissistic personalities, cruel intentions, and a host of other self-serving motivations?

Removing the Masks

So, how do we resist the temptation to hide? Or what must be done to break habits that we have already established through the use of coverup and mask wearing? The most direct way is to let ourselves be seen for who we really are.

Scary.

In my experience, there’s no easy solution. We are so addicted to appearances. The lure of invisibility, as the fable of Gyges highlights, promises controlled protection, pleasure, and power. While on the other hand, transparency offers exposure, misunderstanding, blame and apparent weakness.

This seemingly fragile posture of complete disregard for self-protection is how we see Jesus lived out His humanity. His pathway to the cross was paved with total vulnerability. He hung there completely naked, yet completely righteous.

The hope of a Jesus follower is that we now have been given a new place to hide.

It is within Christ Himself through faith that we are to dwell. His righteousness has been offered as our body armor, covering all our shame. The only requirement is that we have to let go of all our magical invisibility paraphernalia. Our self-righteousness, concern for what others think, and how we might appear to those watching, all must be dropped. Only then can we access the full benefit of this new cloak that offers complete covering.

Christ’s righteousness and the ring of my identity as a child of God are the only items I truly want to adorn myself with. They’re the only things that work as an effective covering.

How about you?

Response:

• What am I tempted to hide in my life? What would happen if I let myself be seen for who I really am?
• In what ways has my heart deceived me into focusing on managing how I appear to others?
• What guilt and shame do I still carry in my heart? What would it mean for me to seek forgiveness for that which I’m guilty of and receive Christ’s covering for my shame?
• Jesus, show me how to make you my dwelling and hiding place.