Transparency....

Transparency• as used in the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning a "transparent" object is one that can be seen through.

For some reason, the word transparency has been stuck in my head. I feel that due to judgment passed by others in the Christian world, we tend to hide our faults and our struggles instead of sharing these struggles with others... I feel that too often, 'church' becomes a place where we go to 'act' perfect. Where we show others how wonderful our life is, no flaws, just perfect little christians. I don't know if it is due to humility, fear of being judged, or pride???

HOW EXHAUSTING!!!

We have to remember that we all have issues that we struggle with, whether it be marriage, addictions, etc., we ALL have them whether we admit them or not. The important thing is how we choose to live in spite of those issues. Our life is simply practice - an effort, to live in a way that is pleasing to God, but realizing that perfection is a direction and not a goal that can be achieved.

Although we accept experiencing failures as a part of our lives, is it never something we should ever settle for. God desires us to obey and follow Him. He wants us to learn from our failures so we are less likely to make the same mistakes again. Mistakes can have devastating consequences. The fact that God uses our failures to build us up, if we allow Him to, is a testimony to how merciful He is.

Never think that failure disqualifies you from the gift of grace that God offers through Christ. No matter what failures we have experienced, God is ready to hear our repentant hearts and wrap His arms around us. And how does he wrap His arms around us? In my opinion, he uses others to do that.

I have never been as impacted as I was while at a church in Fort Worth. People went up for prayer and others prayed for them. At the end of it all, those that were up there praying would give the BIGGEST hug. I mean, shoulders bouncing from sobbing while another lovingly embraced them. I would tear up every time I saw that because I could feel their emotions...I could relate to their sadness and how it's so comforting to be able to 'let go' of everything. We flash back to being children....when we were so hurt, or sad....and we would cry in the arms of our parents....just knowing someone was empathetic, non-judgemental and hated seeing us discouraged, sad, disappointed....It's therapeutic.

Basically, my point is simply this...if you've ever found yourself judging others based on their failures, STOP. If you've ever said, 'I'm glad I've never done that before" STOP yourself from having those thoughts. It's a conscious effort that has to be recognized. I am no better than anyone else. There is no 'step-ladder' that God has us lined up in the order of "who's better than who".

Make the choice to be transparent....don't live your life afraid of what others will say or think....be who you are, use others as a support group, and accept others for who they are. Realize that God is working on them, just as God is working on you. God uses all types of people! And the only reason he uses them was because they are willing.