For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. (Luke 8:17)
Many people believe this verse refers to individual acts and personal behavior, and that is partially true. However, these words from our Lord also refer to what so often drives our individual acts and our personal behavior. They refer to what is hidden in the deepest interior part of the human person.
This interior part of us will ultimately be revealed, but this verse is not primarily referring to something revealed to others. This disclosure will instead bring to light what we have hidden from ourselves. And the Lord made clear who would bring about this revelation. It is the member of the Trinity most responsible for our being made Holy.
The Church is currently preparing itself for Pentecost when we will celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. We can read about the arrival of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. (Acts 2:3)
It is true that these tongues resting on the Apostles confirmed them in their prophetic mission; they were to go forth and preach the Gospel to all nations. But the message of the Gospel also called for conversion. The tongues of fire represent the truth that must be spoken to a fallen world, and to individual hearts.
When He (Holy Spirit) comes, He will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8)
Part of the message of the Gospel, the part that cannot be hidden from us, is that we are all wounded by sin, our own sin as well as the sins of others. We may not know this, or at least we may choose not to think about it very often, but that does not make it any less true.
The process of having our interior woundedness revealed to us can be very difficult, and it is most often preceded by the stripping away of the exterior defenses we have built up to shield ourselves throughout life. This stripping, which is reminiscent of our Lord being stripped before His crucifixion, can come to us in many forms.
Some can be imposed by other people. This may occur through rejection, condemnation or humiliation. These crosses can be even more difficult if we discover we are the cause of our own trials. But these difficult circumstances are merely the catalyst; our woundedness reveals itself in the way we respond to these challenges. Trials and difficulties will inevitably bring to the surface our deepest selves.
Beyond the circumstances which other people may impose on us, we might experience trials in a myriad of other ways. Examples can include the deterioration of our health, loss of our financial security, breakdowns in our relationships or even a loss of faith in God or in ourselves. Our greatest support structure against life’s trials is simply our perception of ourselves, or the image we may have created of ourselves as decent, competent, and capable individuals.
A person never really knows themself fully until the support structures they have come to rely on are removed, or they are compromised to the point where we no longer trust in them.
This self-revelation is normally brought about by the challenging circumstances we inevitably find ourselves in. When placed under great strain, or when the perceptions we have lived under are suddenly removed, we may discover ourselves to be very different from the person we thought we were. But we need not lose heart. If we are going to begin this process of healing, the underlying conditions must be revealed, they must be brought to the surface. This is the often-misunderstood benefit of trials in our life.
It is precisely when these self-perceptions begin to break down, when we come to discover the chinks in the armor of our image, that we can actually begin to seek the healing of our interior wounds. This healing process, though difficult, is not something we undergo alone.
This is the healing the Lord is asking us to participate in. During trying times, the Lord is not only healing us, He is actually remaking us into a better image of ourself.
Behold, I am making all things new. (Revelation 21:5)
In the midst of the trials that lead to self-revelations, the Lord wants us to willingly approach Him with a genuine desire to have our wounds healed, our hearts made pure, and our life restored. He wants us to desire to be remade in His image. This process of healing and renewal is actually not optional.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
The reason for this is quite simple.
Nothing unclean will enter ‘Heaven’ (Revelation 21:27)
Any festering wounds in the human soul must be healed and made perfect. Afterall, who would want to spend eternity in any condition other than perfection?
But we should not have anxiety over this process; for as much as we may desire our healing, the Lord desires it more. And He has promised He will do this for us.
For I will restore health to you,
and your wounds I will heal,
says the Lord (Jeremiah 30:17)
This work of healing, done primarily by the Holy Spirit, is called sanctification, which means to be made Holy. It is our life’s work. It is actually the only work we are here to do.
The revealing of our hidden secrets will lead us to the truth about ourselves.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13)
And this healing and renewal of our souls will eventually lead us to eternal freedom.
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)
Copyright © 2024, Deacon Mark Danis
Image credit: “Jesus heals the leper,” Alexandre Bida, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons