Below is a post that I wrote seven years ago that still holds truth today. I love going back and re-reading some of the things that God has showed me. Often you can re-read things that you've read/written in the past and it may mean something completely different to you now then it did back when you actually read/wrote it. My hope from this post is that you walk away with a confidence that no matter what you are going through, Christ loves you and wants to know you. Also, that it is important for us to open up to our brothers or sisters in Christ. Fellowship is important for us to have the opportunity to support each other and keep each other accountable, but most importantly to love each other.
Often I feel like there is a large misunderstanding when it comes to accepting Christ into our lives. At some point in time, the stereotypical Christian (e.g. perfect, never in the wrong, clean-living, never struggles with sin and temptation) began to overshadow the real deal. The fear of admitting to messing up from time to time leads to artificial smiles upon setting foot in church, or really wherever judgement from others may exist. Now, how intimidating it must be for a person broken, and hungry for Christ, to step into a group of believers for the first time and be surrounded by the facade of perfection. It is VERY intimidating; so much so, that I think in many cases it can turn unbelievers away, rather than invite them in.
My first semester of college, I attended a Christian university. I befriended many wonderful people there. However, while attending this school and living on campus, I felt that there existed a pressure to live a flawless life. I didn’t feel like I could share any sort of struggles or temptations that I was faced with at the time. I was heading down the fast track to becoming enslaved by guilt. I ended up transferring to a school I figured I would better “fit in.” A school where I figured that nobody would be measuring me up against perfection. While I felt like the burden of judgement from others was somewhat lifted, I had become so used to hiding my feelings that I remained a captive to myself. It wasn’t until I attended a women’s retreat that the burden of guilt and shame was actually lifted. That night, with a few of my closest friends, we all sat in a circle and shared everything and anything that was on our minds. The freedom from judgment that we all felt moved us to tears.
That weekend I learned that Jesus never meant for us to become overcome with guilt. He doesn’t want us to feel like we are bad people or to feel like we need to hide our bad experiences from him or from the world. Don’t we all already know that we are human and will always fall short of perfection? It is in our genetic makeup! I truly believe that if anything, sharing our experiences and testimonies of the moments we fall short, that unbelievers will see that it is okay to not be perfect. It is okay that we make mistakes and fall into temptation, because if we didn’t then we wouldn’t need Jesus! Sharing with others and, more importantly, sharing our transgressions with God releases the burden of guilt so that we can use that energy to learn from our mistakes and move on. As well, it is proof that God is constantly working inside of our hearts and changing us to be more like Christ.
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
-Proverbs 28:13.
“He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”
-1 John 2:2.
One of the miracles of being a Christian is that when Jesus comes into our lives, he picks up the pieces of our broken lives and begins to mold us into something better, not something perfect, but something better. We need to show unbelievers that this miracle can be a reality to them.
“What’s your definition of a Christian? Is it broad enough to encompass the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, and broken people of the world? Jesus said that he came to heal the sick. Drug addicts are messed up just the same as liars are messed up, just the same as all humans are messed up. We all need Jesus. We all struggle with personal ways in which sin plays itself out in our lives.”
-Mike Yankoski, author of Under the Overpass.
Is there anyone that fails Is there anyone that falls Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small Cause when I take a look around Everybody seems so strong I know they’ll soon discover That I don’t belong So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them Are we happy plastic people Under shiny plastic steeples With walls around our weakness And smiles to hide our pain But if the invitation’s open To every heart that has been broken Maybe then we close the curtain On our stained glass masquerade Is there anyone who’s been there Are there any hands to raise Am I the only one who’s traded In the altar for a stage The performance is convincing And we know every line by heart Only when no one is watching Can we really fall apart But would it set me free If I dared to let you see The truth behind the person That you imagine me to be Would your arms be open Or would you walk away Would the love of Jesus Be enough to make you stay
-“Stained Glass Masquerade” by Casting Crowns
Kommentare