The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. – Judges 6:11

Today's Scripture Reading (April 26, 2025): Judges 6

Gideon was alone. He was threshing wheat in the winepress because the winepress was hidden, and any passing Midianites wouldn't see him. On this night, Gideon was a frustrated, frightened, and solitary person. The angel didn't come to him when he was out celebrating with his friends; he addressed the farmer when he was alone, scared, and hiding.

In my late teens, one of the bands I enjoyed listening to released what has come to be recognized as a groundbreaking work. The band was Pink Floyd, and the album was "The Wall." The entire album, which I have on vinyl, tells the story of a rock star named Pink who grows up and decides that the best thing he can do is isolate himself because of the negative moments of life. Pink, like Gideon, determines that the best reaction to life is to go it alone. By the way, "The Wall" is the antithesis of the Christian message. Pink is suffering a very real, and even common, tragedy, but that is not how life was intended to be lived. 

At one point, Pink asks a question of his mother. "Mama, should I build the wall?"

The response? 

        Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry.

        Mother's gonna make all your nightmares come true.

        Mother's gonna put all her fears into you.

        Mother's gonna keep you right here under her wing.

        She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing.

        Mama's gonna keep baby cozy and warm.

        Ooooh babe ooooh babe oooooh babe,

        Of course, mama's gonna help build the wall (Roger Walters, Mother, 1979)

The Closing words of the song are

        Mother, did it have to be so high?

Unfortunately, Pink is living the truth of many of our lives. We live in a critical society. We criticize so easily; sometimes, I am convinced we don't even realize we are doing it. And all our criticisms do is build that internal wall a little higher. The wall keeps us isolated and helps us defend against the arrows headed our way. I can't let you see me, who I really am, because you won't like me. We learn to major in criticism and minor in celebration. The reality is that criticism builds the wall, but celebration tears it down. If I am criticized, I isolate myself and become even more afraid because I am alone. We need to be all about celebration.

Pink Floyd knew a little about Mental Illness. One of their own had succumbed early in their career. The song "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is written about Syd Barrett, a founding band member. 

There is a story that has been going around for years that takes place during Pink Floyd's recording of their "Wish You Were Here" project. Legend has it that as they were recording "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," an extremely long song about Syd Barrett, this guy walked into the studio and sat down. He was overweight and bald, and the band just figured he must have been friends with somebody in the studio, so they had let him come into the session. Pink Floyd continued to play, and then one of them looked hard at the bald guy in the studio, then stopped and turned to the other members and said, "That's Syd!" They looked and decided the visitor was Syd, so the band members walked out to talk to him. Syd seemed disengaged. At one point in the conversation, he asked where he should plug in his guitar." Syd Barrett had not played with Pink Floyd for years and had no guitar with him.

I'm afraid that one of my greatest fears is that we have been successful in building the wall around us. I don't think anyone is exempt from this. The wall has either been built or it is being constructed in our lives. Currently, our walls are at various heights. We are frightened of letting anyone in, and we are alone. Like Syd Barrett, we are looking for a place to plug in, but the wall is so complete that we can't find it. Like Gideon, we work away in a secret place where nobody can see or criticize us. We need a change of culture in the church. One that says I encourage you and love you. I am not here to criticize you or to tear you down.

Paul starts all of his letters with the words Grace and Peace. If you're afraid of being criticized, let me remind you of grace and that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. If you fear being criticized, let me tell you about peace, shalom, a harmony of existence between you and God. The only way we will pull down our walls is by relying on grace and peace. 

So, wherever you are, may I extend grace and peace to you. It is time to start tearing down the walls we have built around our lives.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Judges 7