I laughed when my pastor related an experience to me that he had the day before. It seemed that two ladies in the church had gotten into what we southerners sometimes call a “squabble”, and the words given by one to the other qualify as perhaps the wittiest off-the-cuff comeback I’ve ever heard in my life. For anyone who at this point is scoffing at the idea of church folks getting cross-threaded with one another, may I humbly remind you that Christians aren’t perfect people – just forgiven people…but still 100% people…human beings…sinful creatures…imperfect beings. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get back to the story. One of the aforementioned ladies had brought to the other’s attention a certain rumor that she had heard concerning her husband. The response of the one to the other was, “I’ll have you know that my husband is a holy man.” To this, the other wittily replied, “Well, you’ll have to clarify that for me. Do you mean ‘wholly’ as in, he’s all man?…’holy’ as in Godly?…or ‘holey’ like – swiss cheese holey?” Ah, the joys of the English language. One pronunciation – three different meanings. Nevertheless, it gives us a good question to consider…What kind of holy are we?
As a professing Christian, I must admit that I sincerely strive to be a holy man. Before you call me out for being arrogant, check your dictionary for an accurate definition of the word. The word, holy, doesn’t mean “perfect” as many believe. It means, “different” or “set apart.” In that sense, I strive to be different than the world at large and to keep myself set apart for the purposes of God. Am I successful in this 100% of the time? Not at all. Sometimes I’m more like the picture of the log at the top of this post…holey.
When I cut that tree at my parents’ house, I was certain that I’d get some good firewood out of the deal. Only after it was on the ground did I realize that it wasn’t exactly the kind of tree I was lead to believe it was. It was “holey”. Outwardly it looked like it had it going on, but inwardly there were sections of it that told a different story. My hopes for mounds of good firewood would have to settle for a little bit of that and quite a bit of empty space. Forgive me for the times I have revealed holeyness instead of holiness in my actions towards you!
As was stated earlier, there is a third kind of wholly…and that is wholly true! Without a doubt, we humans all live up to this in a plethora of ways. We are wholly human. It is evidenced in the selfless deeds performed for others during times of disaster…it is clearly seen in the selfish acts committed by those who refuse to notice the needs of others around them. In all of these, we are wholly human. The best of God’s created beings and the worst of God’s created beings all at the same time sometimes!
I don’t know about you, but here’s my assessment of the situation: (1) I’m wholly human and there’s nothing I can do to change that. (2) I will strive to be a holy man, because God has commanded “You be holy, because I am holy.” (1Peter 1:16). (3) Even though my desire is to be holy, there will be times that my fallen human nature renders me holey. In all of this, I am grateful that the God who created me, died for me, and forgives me continually allows me to come before Him with all of my imperfections and “holeyness” to seek His forgiveness again, receive His restoration again, and give it my best…again. What kind of Holy are we? Probably without intention, but nevertheless in reality, we’re probably all three at times – Wholly…Holy…and Holey…And God still loves us!
Now perhaps on a church seat next to other Holey people striving to be Holy people, or maybe in the woods trying wholly to bag that buck of a lifetime…if it is the latter of those two, I’ll see you in the Great Outdoors!
Rod & Staff Outdoor Ministries 