Wild @ Heart

Do you ever feel like you're faking it? Like somewhere in your journey with God you began feeling the pressure to be a “good Christian” so you slowly began wearing a mask. Or perhaps you feared rejection and wanted to fit in. And, since the other people in your church seemed to have it together, you began to act like you did too.

We all struggle with this at some point in our lives. Actually, many struggle with this for much of their lives. The Bible talks a lot about this problem of wearing a religious mask, otherwise known as hypocrisy, and Jesus addresses it on numerous occasions in the Gospels (see Luke 11, 12). As a matter of fact, it seems to be the one thing that upset Jesus the most. In the pages of the Gospels we find Jesus constantly confronting the Pharisees in the most direct and...how can I say it? Let's just say that He doesn't mince words.

Hypocrisy and religiosity are prevalent in the Church in South Africa, as they are in most places. And in my experience they seem to be especially prevalent in the townships. For a long time the guys I meet with have sensed that something isn't right, but it's just the way things are done. Basically, it's just standard operating procedure, if you will.

So, that brings us to the Epic Quest retreat that we hosted near Soshanguve, a local township. The content of the retreat was based on the book Wild At Heart by John Eldredge, which has had a big impact on my life. Each time I've read it, I have been challenged to deeply engage my heart and live in the fullness of who God has created me to be.

During these Epic Quest retreats, men are taken on a journey of the heart that not only exposes the masks that we wear, but also the wounds our hearts have suffered. And, as we face the these challenging issues, we encounter the Father's great love for us. Our hearts drink in the fact that we are the beloved of God.

In the two retreats that I have participated in, I am greatly encouraged by the responses of the young men from Soshanguve. Their honesty and willingness to face the past is courageous, and their willingness to remove their masks is heartening. And, although a good amount of their woundedness comes from nonexistent fathers and the absence of male role models, it seems that many of their masks come from imitating those who lead them in their churches. A sobering thought.

So our weekend together marks the beginning of a long journey. A journey that my teammate, Doug, and I will continue to walk alongside these young men. A journey towards living life to the fullest in partnership with God. A journey towards freedom.