Tear Down This Wall

History reminds us of the Berlin wall, which was built to keep the people of East Germany from escaping their totalitarian ruled country. The 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, recognized that the East Germans had spent far too long in the wilderness locked behind their wall. Therefore, he gave a message about freedom in which he called for their leader to "Tear down this wall."

The wall was eventually torn down. But, how many of us are like these East Germans who are imprisoned by walls of our own making? Many of us are fortified cities with walls that imprison us while keeping others out. Our walls are constructed with stones of mistrust, hate, jealousy, selfishness, anger, rejection, guilt, shame and fear; which are strongly cemented by unforgiveness. These are tough walls to crack.

We hide behind our fortification - a facade of fallacy. Far too often, we are also trying to hide from God.

The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the LORD their God. Moreover, they built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. 2 Kings 17:9 

Somehow we think we are safe from the watchful eyes of an All-knowing God. However, we unknowingly hurt ourselves, believing we are protecting ourselves by creating strongholds that are buttressed by our pain. These strongholds are defense mechanisms built to protect our pride, making us cold and withdrawn, or sometimes arrogant becoming belittling and belligerent. Our Heavenly Father waits for us to give up our sinful strongholds, so that He will become our only Stronghold.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Although, I understand why we build walls of protection, it doesn't make it right. Our walls do not allow us to accept the gift of freedom which Jesus offers us. We are not only blocking out problems, we also inadvertently put up a barrier, keeping out our Protector, Provider, Prophet and Priest. We are now at more risk for hurt behind our walls, hindering the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We must trust God to be our fortress, and Jesus to be our gate.

 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:9

Not only will we be saved, but we will be safe when we allow Jesus to be our gate. He will let in what needs to come in our lives and lock out what doesn't belong there. Jesus will know what is best for us and when, even though it may not feel good. We must realize that pain can have purpose, and problems can have positive potential.  When Jesus is our gate we can securely walk in freedom, no matter the situation.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

I believe their are spiritual lessons to learn from the fall of the Berlin Wall, and President Reagan's words ring true for us today.

"Come here to this gate! ... open this gate! ... tear down this wall!"

Let us open our lives to Jesus, and tear down our walls, so that we can take refuge in our Lord, our Protector. Let us become the city of God.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:4-7