Brown Paper Bags

You never know what is going to show up at church! This happened to me a number of years ago back in Oklahoma; inside that brown paper bag were some very private videos...

Coal Count, Oklahoma is largely a 'Democratic' voting county; though in the 2008 election voted 'Republican'. The church I led there was largely reflective of the county in terms of political preferences. In the mid '90's you will recall that President Clinton was entangled in a moral and political mess over Monica Lewinsky by lying to Congress. During that time it was a very difficult subject to talk about publicly and even personally because of the political tensions. As I do now, I tried to center any political commentary around morals and ethics; so the subject was difficult to avoid... until one Sunday.

Roy and Peggy were in their 80's at the time and were very gentle and caring souls. They were faithful to the church and their Sunday School classes. 'Ole Roy', as I called him was always faithful to the Chuck Wagon (local diner) where we discussed cows, hay, rain and chances of rain and occasionally politics. In comparison to the geezers at the table, I was but a young pup... so I didn't say much. I never new until one Sunday where 'Ole Roy' stood politically.

The service had ended and Roy and Peggy had hung back from leaving in order to talk with me. Sister Peggy looked both ways and then whispered lightly and handed me a brown paper bag. She asked me to keep it secret and not open it till I got home. When I got home I opened the bag and there were a couple of VHS tapes on the Clinton administration and the Lewinsky scandal. You'd thought the way they were acting the brown bag had porn or crack in it... but I understood their intentions!

Regardless where you stand politically, I think we can all find agreement when it comes to moral issues. I find the 'brown paper bag' interesting. The issue is much deeper than political preferences. Think of your heart as a 'brown paper bag' for a moment. What are you hiding?  What are you trying to hide from the Holy Spirit? What role is shame currently playing in your faith and life? Critical to our spiritual and relational health is living life without having to have a 'brown paper bag'.

I have to laugh sometimes when I see a brown paper bag show up at church. I think of Ole Roy and Peggy, but I also think of how I need to live out a transparent life...

In Christ!