Drawbridge Problems

While travelling through the UK during 2008, and particularly through the Scottish Islands of Inner Hebrides, I marvelled at the craftmanship of the beautifully breathtaking castles built many centuries ago. Life in the 12th Century was certainly a very different way of life to how we live now. If you were living within the castle walls, you made it your primary focus to protect your home and family at all costs. Travellers simply didnt come to the door for a chat, to sell anything or drop in unexpectedly. The Castle was fortified with strong inpenetrable walls, employed marksmen on duty took up the arrow so as to protect all within the castle. To have the drawbridge lowered to you as a guest was a priviledge, a welcome sign - it didnt occur just for anyone.

WindermereCastle/Lakesdistrict/UK/tover2008

In his book, "The Road Less Travelled & Beyond", psychiatrist and writer M.Scott Peck talks about peoples 'drawbridge problems'. He observes that many people simply are not aware that they are in charge of their own 'drawbridge'. Some people lay open the 'drawbridges' of their lives all the time, so that anyone and everyone can amble into their personal space, prowl around, stay as long as they liked, and do whatever harm they would. Or other people fearing invasion would keep their 'drawbridges' raised and shut all of the time so that no-one and nothing could ever penetrate their isolated solitude'.

It's quite obvious what is needed here. We constantly need to check that balance so as to maintain a healthy balance - of protecting ones 'castle-heart' - and yet remaining slightly vulnerable and open to love.

I simply love these lyrics to an old melodic scottish lovesong which sing.....
"My heart is a castle wherein ye may dwell..."

I personally struggle constantly with maintaining this balance of how much or how little I protect that vulnerabilty of my heart. I all too often lay bare my heart through a need to share God's love with others. I all too often fight so hard in some brave act of chivalry brandishing a sword in the name of justice, only to leave wimpering with a bleeding and wounded heart. I wimper away...knowing all too well that time will be needed for the healing to take place again.

HawkesheadParishChurch/LakesDistrict/UK/tover/2008

And as I whince in pain removing the sword protruding from my heart I am confronted by the dilemma of how things could ever be put right again. It is then that I am once again driven to prayerfully ask myself the question "Lord, to whom shall we go?" There is no other answer but to again seek solace and healing through His Word.

"Trust the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths". -Proverbs 3:5-6