Gun-Shy

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. (Mark 5:35-43 ESV). I have trained several different breeds of hunting dogs in my past. By far the easiest for me were the Beagles that my dad and I raised. One of the most important qualities of these animals was that they be tolerant to the sudden loud noise of a gun discharging. We didn’t want them to be “gun-shy.” We have all heard that term applied to humans as well, usually in reference to a person who was emotionally injured in a relationship and is now cautious about entering another relationship due to the hurts of the past. It is also a known fact that one's childhood does, to some degree, affect one's adult psyche. It can make you equally as “gun-shy.” Knowingly or unknowingly, we humans tend to carry lots of emotional baggage. These hurts of the past often affect how we react to situations today, embracing them or fearing them. It is a sad fact that such past injuries can so easily allow one to erect walls, supposedly for our own protection, but which often end up imprisoning us. The secure fortress we create to keep out hurts, soon becomes a prison. Outside the walls are love, peace, and happiness, but unless the walls are removed, we can never fully know the joy that is ours for the taking. Ralph Waldo Emerson, wisely states, "Why should we grope among the dry bones of the past, or put the living generation into masquerade out of its faded wardrobe?" In my own life, I can recall how the injuries of my past, not only robbed me of various personal and professional opportunities. During one particular period, I avoided any meaningful interaction with others. It was only after some honest soul-searching and professional help from a wonderful Christian counselor that I was able to be honest and admit that the emotional baggage I carried was in no way helpful, but actually harmful to my entire being. Releasing the often negative and suffocating grip of the past is exactly what Christ calls us to do. We are not to dwell among the barren bones of past loves and past hurts, but to feast our eyes upon the richness of the moment, and the joyous hope of the future! Emotional scars are not signs of weakness or defeat, but badges of victory that we have tread rough waters, and not only survived, but emerged all the more wise! Difficult moments in life are not meant to be a heavy ball and chain, but a balloon on a string that allows us to live, learn and cast our eyes always to the Lord. Then we can focus on present joy and keep the past with its failures and the future with its fears from robbing us. Today, won't you call out to God and tell Him you are ready to let go of the past and look toward a new tomorrow?