2010
05.04
05.04
Let’s continue the discussion that a couple of Bloggers mentioned in their comments to ‘Picture Perfect.’ Authenticity is a struggle among Americans, even followers of Jesus. What keeps us from removing the mask and being authentic with people? What can we do to change these bad habits?
I can’t wait to read your comments…
We live in a society of ‘picture perfect’ perfection. Anti aging, botox, hair peplacement etc. We remove or replace everything ugly. We gravitate towards pretty people. We assume success and prestige go along with them. We shun the divorcee, the over weight, the old, the homeless,the unpolished brass. How do we change? Being Jesus with skin on requires that we know the very character of Christ. You won’t know that until you spend time with Him. Then being authentic become your very fiber. Then authentic turns into acceptance.
I have a great friend who has never been anything but REAL to me. She is such an encouragement to those around her. People are attracted to those who are real and not putting up some false pretense that their kids are perfect, their marriage is perfect, their finances are perfect, their home is perfect and their jobs are perfect. Trying to be perfect is exhausting……being Real, not nearly as much. Life is hard……..God is Good!
We all need to be real.
p.s. ( Or course, my marriage is perfect
) Ha, ha pastor!
I have found, first hand, that wearing the “everything’s fine” mask only deceives me. My struggles, pain, fear, anxiety and even the very thing I am trying to hide at that moment is obvious to others. You can hide from yourself for years and actually believe “everything’s fine” but God sees you in all your struggle and has a way of turning on that sign on your forehead that tells on you. Thank you for that, Lord. Through this, prayer starts flowing from your brothers and sisters and healing seeds are planted.
Ephesians 6:14-18 MSG
14 Truth, righteousness, 15 peace, 16 faith, 17 and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. 18 In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Often, I’m convinced people will turn away when they see flaws, struggle or chaos. Often that is sooo far from the truth! How reassuring is it to me when I see that someone I admire doesn’t always have it together!?! I have a close friend that never talks about her weaknesses or struggles and while I never see her sweat, I never feel like we’re really connecting. Meanwhile I have a friend who is completely real with me, and I never hesitate to share my struggles and in turn grow in God with her!
In a recent Bible study, the author reminded me of 2 Corinthians 3:18…”And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Being picture perfect is veiling our face with a veil of duty. We believe that it is our duty to have everything flawless, not one strand out of place. How can I behold the glory of the Lord if I’m veiling my face? How can I reflect the Lord to others through my veil? I CANNOT! Yet how often do I reach for the veil when trouble comes? I am so pathetic sometimes!
By the way, really great discussion—I loved everyone’s comments!
Linda nailed it………we live in a society expecting perfection and we have a tendency to gravitate away from those things, and people, that are not perfect. We also tend to shy away from those things that make us uncomfortable, like chronic illness, which is by nature, “not perfect.” What I’ve experienced over the years is that most people really don’t want to hear when you’re having troubles. Over time you observe the folks turning the other way as you approach, or looking “through” you when you’re talking, getting anxious to leave or just flat out changing the subject as quickly as possible so they don’t have to be uncomfortable. So, as a result, the “canned, automatic reply” becomes….”I’m fine” because you see and learn over the years that most have no genuine desire to engage, to help, to listen, to serve, it’s more of an obligatory question to ease one’s own conscious. For me, it’s not denial but more of eliminating unnecessary “dancing”. The way I see it is, if someone really doesn’t want to listen or care, I’m not going to push myself or my issues on them. It’s often easier to just stay quite….yes, the Lord knows your heart and what’s going on, but if it’s really obvious that there’s no interest, understanding or acceptance it’s just less painful to stay quite……..
Despite all my ranting, I have to agree with Shawna………Life is hard….God is Good!
I like to think of our church as the church for misfits. After visiting several churches and feeling that I had to force myself to fake it there to “fit” in, we came to visit at WCC. It was different here. There were wounds exposed in fellow Christian brothers and sisters. I could see that the people who attended this church were well, human. They made me feel comfortable. They made my obvious sin, fade to the background (made me aware that God has forgiven me and they will accept me for being human). I am not saying that at times, I don’t say I am fine when I am not fine…because I do, we all do.
Hannah – wow, your incite is remarkable…I love reading when you post…