Transparency

I don't have a catchy title for this one.

Just...

TRANSPARENCY.

Nope. Not this kind of transparency. 

Is that a Christian "buzzword" now? I'm not sure. I'm not a very trendy Christian. Sad for me.

I am thinking today about the need for transparency... and how I'm just not sure there is a way to get it without radically altering our "normal" Christianity.

See, in order to be truly transparent--- truly honest, see-through, truly REAL--- other people have to see things beyond what we choose to share with them.

Although getting together with a group of friends or standing up at church and confessing our sins is a good step... that's not really REAL. That's what we choose to share. And it's not a window into our lives. It's maybe a home movie that we choose whether or not to edit.

But it's not life. Its not day in, day out, beautiful messy ugly hateful comedic hopeless loving disgusting lazy chaotic faithful confusing inspiring every second every minute every hour every day LIFE.

I don't want it... I don't want anyone to see my ugly (No. I never lose my temper and scream raise my voice at my children). Or my gross (did you really just EAT that Cheeto that was on the floor and most likely licked by at least one toddler and a DOG?!? No. No I did not.). Or my lazy (I maintain the sniff test is a vaild way to determine which pile is the "clean" one.) I would like people to see my beautiful messy ugly hateful comedic hopeless loving disgusting lazy chaotic faithful confusing inspiring every second every minute every hour every day certain times of certain days LIFE.

And I certainly don't want someone... anyone... let's be honest, I don't even want my HUSBAND (most days) to be a participant in this life. I don't want someone OUTSIDE of me having a say, an opinion, a role in holding me accountable. I don't want an observer to my sin. I don't want someone who can step in and say "The way you're acting is NOT OK." (Please do not eat any more floor snacks and for heaven's sake, woman, change your sweatpants!)

But, let's also be honest. I need it. We all NEED it. It is why God created us to be together. It is why we are drawn towards things like Facebook and Instagram... our inner NEED to be connected and in community with each other. Somewhere we have a desire to get our junk out... I think somewhere we even have a desire for other people to call us out and tell us to stop.

And I don't think once (or twice, or *GASP* even 3 times) a week is going to cut it.

Iron sharpens iron, right? Gold is refined in the fire? Would that iron be sharp, or that Gold be anywhere near pure, if it was only going through that *FUN* process for a few hours a week?

No. No it would not.

You know what the beautiful thing is, though? God promises us that if we BOAST about our weaknesses He is made strong through them. Can you imagine how the power of God could move through a group of people that don't just GET together, but EXIST together, are open about their sin, and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work in them and through them?

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  -- 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Dream with me, friends.

Until next time!