When Ryan Seacrest mouths, "Your next American Idol is...", I scoot to the edge.
When Ty Pennington shouts, "Move that bus!", I reach for a tissue.
The big reveal is thrilling...as long as it isn't mine. It is safer to keep my emotions and thoughts bussed in. No risk is required when I watch someone else reach for their dreams.
For too long in relationships I chased expectations. I tried to do, be and say the right thing to please my parents, men, girlfriends and even strangers. I would not risk revealing my true inner self. I know I'm not alone in this. How often have you heard someone utter, "She shared too much," with a look of pity. Sharing too much. Getting too emotional. These receive quick criticism. I've rarely heard someone denigrated for sharing too little.
Are we satisfied with plastic relationships? Do stilted, measured conversations meet our heart needs?
As we continue our series on life transforming prayer, what if we dared to take the lead in authenticity? What if we prayed for the courage and boldness to say, "Lord, reveal me?" He will be our shield as we expose our inner self. He will protect and guard our hearts. We will experience the joy of authentic, God-intended relationship.
What is your go-to mask?
Hi Shannon - God showed me a scripture about a year back that really made me angry. Angry at myself because I had let fear of man change me and make me hide away, Prov 29v25 says: The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trust in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high. Awesome right? Our God will protect us as we reveal ourselves.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
That is a beautiful verse. I also like the one in Galatians where Paul reminds us we can't serve both man and God so we better choose. :)
DeleteHey Shannon Girl!
ReplyDeleteI just wrote about more community this morning... There's an "intimacy" that prayer and honest communication brings! Yes, I want more, God revealing and healing! So, as I prepare by saying YES, to Him... it's so nice to know I have more and more safe people to do life with! Thanks so much sister, Amy
Love how in sync we are! :)
DeleteMy problem is that I'm way too honest, and could probably use a mask or duct tape!;)
ReplyDeletelol - Maybe you should pray Psalm 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. :)
DeleteInterestingly I just wrote about that yesterday! It's liberating to be honest about who we are. But your right it's hard for people to handle sometimes. Thankfully Jesus isn't put off by who we are! http://beckfarfromhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/enough.html
ReplyDeleteLove the way you said that - "Jesus isn't put off by who we are." Great perspective!
Deletei have been lucky to find a small group that practices true transparency - it has been awesome. we have actually faced major hardship as a group and continued to meet because we are clinging to this transparency.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an incredible blessing! Praising God for providing such sweet intimacy for you.
DeleteI've struggled with the "mask" all my life because I've never felt good enough to be accepted for me. Then I started blogging, and with that comes a certain freedom. Maybe it's the lack of face to face communication, but I feel less fear of judgement and more free to be fully authentic - an open book. But every single day I have to remind myself of who I am in Christ. I'm loved and accepted by Him. I'm fearfully and wonderfully made.
ReplyDeleteKnowing who we are in Christ is so powerful!
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