I engaged in two very different conversations today that shared a common theme:  rebelling against wise counsel offered by those who genuinely care about our well-being.  The context and the counsel being proferred varied greatly, but the underlying premise was the same.  In praying for both situations, I began contemplating why a spirit of rebellion seems to permeate human nature.  It may manifest itself differently for each person, but a time will inevitably come when rebellion counters reason.  I suppose the theological answer is that our rebellion began in the Garden when we sinned against our Creator.  We became naked and exposed and then hid from Him to mask our shame and disgrace.  Perhaps we have not evolved from hiddenness in certain areas of our lives, which leads to outwardly rejecting well-intentioned truth spoken to us.

Or perhaps like in the Garden, it starts with a seed of deception in pursuing selfish and earthly desires above God’s best for us.  We fool ourselves into believing that we have all of the answers and that we know what’s best in a given situation.  We denounce truth to uphold a lie.  It takes a lot of careful and intentional cultivation to remain rooted in the lie, rather than freely accepting the wise counsel that may propel us closer to the source of light and life, where our roots can grow deeper and broader beneath the surface.

Just like in the Garden, reveling in rebellion can drive a wedge between us and those who love us most.  Reconciliation and restoration may come eventually, but it requires movement on the part of the rebel– a heart change that acknowledges one’s own limited understanding and acceptance of the discernment and wisdom being offered.

As I was prayerfully contemplating these things on my drive home today (post-conversations), I heard the lyric “lead me to the Cross” blaring out of my car radio.  And my spirit recognized that’s what was needed in both situations– both parties, the rebel and the counselor, meeting at the foot of the Cross.  One to lay down the spirit of rebellion that is hindering relationship and perpetuating the lie of self-determination, and the other party to seek understanding and further discernment in loving more like Christ.  And both parties to celebrate the Love that covers all and the redemption that makes all things new.