John’s side of the story is that he wrote it while Yoko
was sitting in on the recording sessions, and everyone around them grew
increasingly paranoid. “Why is she
here?” “What are they up to?” “It’s never been anyone but the four of us
before!” And the questions went on. According to John, the song was written
because, from his point of view, he and his monkey (presumably Yoko) were the
only ones that were out and open and in front of everyone and completely honest. John’s exact words, “Everybody seemed to be paranoid except for us two, who were
in the glow of love. Everything is clear and open when you're in love.” Depending on where you look, though, there
are several other theories out there behind the meaning of the song. Some say it’s some shot at the Maharishi, and
even George Harrison said the song was about John’s heroin addiction…that
John’s point was that they all had their secrets, but his monkey – the heroin –
was common knowledge. John’s side of the
story came out in an interview with a certain men’s magazine in 1980. He’d written the song for the White Album in
1968 while in India. It’s possible he
changed his story in the twenty-plus years between writing and explaining.
But I
have no reason to doubt John’s side of the story. Of all the things going on when the Beatles
went home for the day, so to speak, the only one that brought his secret with
him was John. Like I covered in the
Ballad of John and Yoko devotional, wanting to be together is what husbands and
wives are supposed to want to do. Now
was John’s side of the story fully accurate or simply spin he put on it years
later? I can’t say. When we get to Heaven, maybe you can ask
him…wait, what?! Don’t worry – that
devotional’s coming. It’s not always
just about the race, it’s about the finish.
But like I said, that’s another devotional coming soon.
But here’s what I’m willing to bet: that we all have that
one thing in our closet. A temper, a tongue,
a prejudice, an addiction, a regret from years ago…something that most people
don’t know about us and we’d just as soon keep it that way. I’m not going to go full-on confessional
here, especially considering I’ve already put most of it out there for everyone
anyway. But yeah, even us fun-loving,
devotional-writing guys have them. It’s
entirely possible that I’ve lived with one for a LONG time. Up to and including emailing said person for
forgiveness when I first jotted down the outline of topics for this devotional
series. Something I’d said to one of my
best friends back in seventh or eighth grade.
It was a spur of the moment, rude, comment made in a stupid attempt to
be funny. And what I said has stuck with
ME since the minute I’d said it. I’d
like to say it’s something that stopped then.
But it’s not. I’d like to say
that harsh tones, annoyed eye-rolls, and things said immediately regretted were
reserved for those outside my family.
I’d like to say that. Most of you
reading this may be shocked to know that.
Most of you reading this have something just like that that you don’t
want known outside of your immediate circle, too. I had a friend whose mother stopped smoking
15 years ago…or so her family thought.
They found out after the funeral that she was a faithful smoker (at
work) until she died. I could keep on
making the list- but you just feel free to add your own secret, and we’ll move
on knowing that we’re all on the same set of tracks.
I’m also willing to step out on a limb and say that there’s a Bible verse that condemns you…convicts you…shames you every time you read it. Ephesians 4:29 “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Then there’s James’ finger poking me in the chest for most of James 3. Honor your father and mother? (Rodney Dangerfield voice) Yeah, right…have you MET my mother? Hyuck Hyuck. Not just the words I say, but the tones in which they're spoken. And the reputation they build – so even when you don’t intend your words to be pointed or sharp or hurtful, they’re heard that way anyway. Then you’re left defending hurtful words that weren’t intended to be hurtful. And whose fault is that? My own. And am I working VERY hard to change that? Yes, I am. Is it something I’ve wanted to come forward about on some Sunday morning during the invitation song? Not at all…because I don’t want everyone knowing my business!! And I’m not saying I’m a bad guy or treat my family horribly. I’m just saying that there are times I should just learn to shut up. But you know what? Everybody’s got something to hide, except for me and my monkey. And don’t worry…I’m not going to ask you about yours. It’s hidden, and you know it. And honestly, it’s not my job to pry it out of you.
It’s my job to get you to look to God
for help. Ask God to remove the thorn
from your side. He said no to Paul’s
request, but maybe not yours. Grovel,
beg, fall on your knees – get on your face in the floor and beg for His help to
change. Everybody’s got something to
hide except for me and my monkey – but you ain’t hiding it from God. No, I’m not saying that God is the NSA, and
he’s tapping your phone or has your house bugged to eavesdrop on your
conversations. But He hears you. He sees you.
He cries for you. He knows you
want to change. He has the power to
change you. He has the want to change
you. But that whole free will thing he
gave you. He wants you to want to
change. Sure, God could treat you like
puppy being housebroken. He could rub
your nose in it, whop you good with a rolled up newspaper, and then throw you
outside…but mostly He doesn’t have to.
Most of those sorts of hidden things have their own consequences. Lost jobs.
Damaged or broken relationships. Violated
trust. Maybe jail. You name it.
It’s like in the move “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” when Delmar gets
baptized. He thinks that everything’s
all better and that the Piggly Wiggly he robbed in Yazoo is forgiven as well as
his lying about it. It’s explained to
him by dear old Ulysses Everett McGill (who talks about as much as I do) that
the baptism was between him and the Lord, but the State of Mississippi is a
whole different matter. Because while
God can heal the sins of your secrets, that doesn’t magically make consequences
go away.
Listen for the Whisper that sounds like Beatles singing a
different song. “Listen. Do you want to a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Whoa-oa, oh.
Closer. Let me whisper in your
ear (See? A whisper). Say those words you long hear. I’m in love with you!” God loves you. It’s not even a secret. Jesus willingly went to the cross to proclaim
that love to every person on earth for all time. You might have secrets, but the fact that God
loves you isn’t one. You know it. I know it.
The checker at the grocery store knows it. So confess your secrets to Him. Ask Him to help you move past them. The devil’s the one that likes you to have
secrets. A nice little secret is a nice
little sin to try and separate you from God.
Let the Son shine on your dark corners.
Let in the light of truth. Let
the healing of forgiveness begin. And
believe me, it’s VERY difficult phrase to work into normal conversation, but
the next time you hear someone say in conversation that everybody has something
to hide except for me and my monkey…ask them if they were calling you their
monkey. Because God loves you, and like
John said, “Everything is
clear and open when you're in love.” Is
there a place for “coming forward” on a Sunday morning at church? Absolutely.
Prayers. Support group. Accountability. But God can forgive you wherever you
are. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” So what’s
stopping you?
~Dwayne
http://listenforthewhisper.blogspot.com
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