Good and Beautiful and Kind by Rich Villodas

Author:Rich Villodas [Villodas, Rich]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2022-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

DROPPING OUR ARMOR

One of the great biblical stories on humility comes from the life of Naaman (see 2 Kings 5). It took a great deal to get him to humbly submit to a way that ran contrary to his deeply entrenched self-importance, but he got there, nonetheless. In the process, he was physically, emotionally, and relationally restored.

Naaman was a highly regarded leader who commanded many in the Syrian army. I’m sure he would give inspirational speeches in this role. He would galvanize the troops, leading from a place of operational competence and strategic brilliance. He was all that and a bag of chips. But he had leprosy.

Leprosy was the Covid-19 of the day. It was a vicious skin disease that attacked the body, and the effects were horrendous. On many occasions, leprosy would cause fingers and toes to fall off. Limbs would be damaged. Leprosy resulted in a loss of sensation in nerve endings, as well as damage to more body parts. Some have said that the disease can take thirty years to run its course, and in that time span, entire limbs can simply fall off.

Beyond physical pain, however, I imagine there was deep psychological pain as well. We don’t know much about how Naaman dealt with this, but it’s evident that he must have lived hiding from others. He covered himself with his armor, but he knew the truth about himself.

The story goes on to say that Naaman had a servant, and she was from Israel. She must have seen the pain and agony Naaman experienced at home and wanted to help. In passing, she brought up a prophet from her hometown, named Elisha. She had a sense that this prophet could heal her boss. Naaman decided to pursue this recommendation.

After arriving in Israel, Naaman was given directions to Elisha’s house. Naaman showed up with an entourage that would make some hip-hop artists envious. He went to see Elisha with horses and chariots. After a long journey, he knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Elisha knew he was coming, but still no answer. Another knock. Finally, the door opened. At the door stood not the prophet but the prophet’s assistant. This looks like the ultimate insult. If a respected person travels a long distance and comes to your door to see you and you don’t open it, that’s disrespectful.

And not only did the servant go to the door, but he simply read the general instructions ordered by Elisha: “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed” (verse 10).

At this, Naaman became furious and turned away in a rage. But he was being tested. He wanted healing on his own terms but would be met with the only path that God uses to make us whole: humility. And having humility means lowering our defenses. For Naaman, this meant a total rejection of the identity he had carefully built over the years. For us, it means the same.

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