We are fascinated with implosions, with buildings falling. People come from miles around to watch them topple, tune into live television, and watch replays in slow motion. A video of a bus blocking the implosion view of the Georgia Dome went viral in 2017. How dare a bus driver continue his daily routine and disturb our live view of a building being destroyed! He needs to get his priorities in order!
It is not only buildings that people flock to see implode. When people fall, a crowd gathers too. We read articles chronicling the implosion. We wonder and ask others what the root causes were. We are fascinated with implosions, and this can be both good and bad.
The Good: Reminds Us of Our Fragility
Seeing a building fall, a building that took years to design and construct, reminds us of our fragility. And seeing great and godly people struggle with their sin and the fallout of their choices should remind us of our fragility. The cliché is true that credibility takes years to build and moments to lose. When a great and godly leader falls, we should take note, not so we can boast of our own strength and standing but so we can be reminded that we too can easily implode.
The Bad: Gives Reason for Pride
The bad thing about an implosion is it gives reason for pride. “Look at that old stadium falling. It is not as strong as ours, the new one with the retractable roof.” When a leader falls, pride can swell up among others. The prideful can say, “He must have believed the wrong things about God,” or, “That will never happen to me. I…” But the Scripture is clear: “Whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
So is it good or bad to look at those who have imploded? Well, it depends. The apostle Paul said, “To the pure, everything is pure” (Titus 1:15). The pure can look at an implosion to learn, to be reminded of their fragility. They can walk away grieving for the person and more dependent on the Lord, the only One who can keep them from falling. Those not walking in purity will look at an implosion and snicker and walk away feeling more secure and more strong in themselves.
Implosions should remind us of our fragility, not our strength, because none of us are able to stand strong in our own goodness and merit.
