We would prefer to not deal with tough situations that demand decisive action. We get so comfortable with what we know, what we’ve always done, how things are – in all their brokenness and imperfection. They’re familiar (like family) to us. Facts can seem disturbing, uncomfortable. To honestly and directly face our habitual blind spots would require that we do something about them – that we change. This type of change, a real transformation, feels scary and difficult.
So we make up lies to justify our inaction. And we do this not only individually, but also socially, and corporately (as groups and organizations). There is a (misplaced) sense of security in putting prodigious effort into maintaining a status quo. This outpouring of energy can become our whole life. We are only trying to avoid pain, disruption and appearing needy. We just want to guarantee that some short-term benefit keeps distracting us. We are willing to deprive ourselves of what we most deeply desire in order to stay right where we are. We want to put off, as long as possible, the transformation that we need to be truly whole – to be really well. Lies come in handy.
A problem with relying on falsity is that only truth has a place in the Kingdom of God. Truth is a requirement here. We would like to be able to have it both ways – to have one foot in our skewed little realm and one foot in God’s Kingdom of healing, of freedom, of peace (Shalom). We need to choose and to accept the consequences of our choice – to cling to our lies or to enter fully into God’s loving embrace and to live true to the genuine, amazing person God knows us, and calls us, to be.