Human identity presents us with perplexing challenges as we understand and develop our unique individuality while also sharing common connection, love, and purpose with others. We also find it painful to realize that we’re limited creatures in a challenging world, so we create rules, strategies, and perspectives that give the illusion of stability and safety. Then our human nature wraps all kinds of justifications around those ideas to bolster them — Welcome to the human race.
Before time and experience broaden our limited perspective, we are blind to other possibilities because of the temporary comfort our justifications bring us. If we are subject to Bounded Choice (the illusion of choices without the structure or resources to make them viable), those justifications might be needful to give our lives continuity and meaning. They may even be required of us while we are dependent on the care of others for their provision (our survival as children).
It takes tremendous honesty and courage to allow ourselves to see our lives in hindsight, let alone confess to our mistakes, regardless of why we made them. It’s even harder to do so publicly.
Today, someone sent me a link to this post by the Botkin Sisters, in which they recant many of the concepts advanced in the book they wrote as teens. They also apologize for the harm the book and their influence may have caused. Having demonstrated this trapping of human nature as directed by their family and culture, I'm glad to see them also set a fine example of the better elements of humanity by courageously taking responsibility for it. It takes time, experience, and thoughtfullness to sort out these kinds of ideas.
This is my prayer for them, which so many of us who have been critical of this ideology have already been praying for so long:
May God continue to protect and guide both Elizabeth and Anna Sophia, richly recompensing them for any opportunities denied them in the past. As God shows His lovingkindness, may it abound in their families. May they learn to be evermore compassionate and forgiving with themselves. May they realize many years of rich, rewarding lives of love, blessing, and healing to come. May they know abundant joy.
In the precious Name of Jesus,
Amen, amen, and amen.
