My oldest brother was still an infant on this day, 61 years ago. That day, the construction of the Berlin Wall began and would stay in place until November 9. 1989, just before our first child was born. The Berlin Wall symbolizes many things to many people, and I have no way to possibly conceive its impact on those living in Germany during the years it was in place. I will share this one feeling I had as a young man, about to become a father for the first time, when the wall started coming down: Gratitude. This one icon of fear, hatred, discrimination, and death would not exist in the lives of my children. They would not grow up, as I did, wondering why such a thing exists.
Walls have been used as barriers to separate people throughout history. The Great Wall of China was built to protect an entire nation. Walls were built around the castles of England to separate the common people from the elites. Great debates continue to rage today about the effectiveness of walls.
Invisible Walls
Here’s a trick question: Have you ever seen an invisible wall? While seeing something “invisible” isn’t possible, I have seen the impact such invisible walls have had around a person’s heart and soul. Walls get built piece by piece from harsh words, angry looks, and sinful acts. Walls of apathy are constructed from misplaced priorities and laziness. Walls of fear grow fast, rising beyond reason, until they seem impassable. If those invisible walls were given physical characteristics, we would all be locked inside our own individual fortresses, unable to be with one another.
Satan uses these invisible walls to deceive us into believing we are safe. If we hide inside them, we’ll be protected from further hurt or embarrassment. The adversary leads us to believe that these walls keep our sins hidden from prying eyes.
There is someone who, if given the opportunity, is a master wall demolisher! Jesus Christ can break down walls of sin, apathy, and fear. Through His atoning sacrifice, he understands exactly how each of these walls is built. He holds the plans showing how to remove the keystones to these walls so that they will crumble to the ground. Through Jesus Christ, we can become free to live without walls of shame, heartache, and fear … but we must allow Him in. Each wall constructed around our hearts has a door. Christ is standing at that door, but we must let Him enter. As we repent and follow Him, He will start tearing down our walls, piece by piece.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was a miracle in my lifetime. The fall of my invisible walls of sin, fear, and shame are miracles that happen every day. May we all let Christ begin His work in our lives.
