Something that I dearly love about blogging is being able to speak into what is relevant that very moment. So, when a friend mentioned that she was attending a white elephant Christmas party soon, I started to think a little more about what it really means. For one thing, no one wants to get the white elephant gift. It is usually unwanted and with very little purpose.
The metaphor of an elephant in the room is not complicated. Everyone sees the elephant, but doesn’t want to acknowledge it. Instead, we choose to ignore its presence because that way we don’t have to make a decision, or put pressure on anyone else to make a decision. However we decide to approach that seemingly proverbial elephant is up to us, but at the end of the day it still exists. We have an opportunity to make a change, acknowledge it, and then move forward. It takes courage and often lots of trust, but it will be worth all the effort.
For me, the biggest challenge is not usually recognizing what I need to change, as the Holy Spirit has no problem pointing out anything that I am avoiding. My biggest challenge is how to approach another person and state the obvious, even when it can be painful. This is when the timing must be perfect and I rely, once again, on the Holy Spirit to guide me with words of life and not judgement. I read recently where a pastor said, “Truth hurts, even as it heals” and I do agree, for our ultimate good is reliant on knowing what is true.
Galatians 4:16 CSB “So then, have I become your enemy because I told you the truth?”
Ephesians 4:25 ESV Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.