Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrew 4:13, NIV)
Transparency sets one up to be vulnerable and that's a "risky" place to be. Certainly if one has been "burned" by openly sharing with another, it's even more difficult.
But God, challenged me through Taylor Park's recent sermon, "A Fellowship of Fellow Strugglers" to examine the church as a fellowship of transparency.
Transparency is sometimes necessary if one is to truly minister to the "body." Pride has to be set aside. The "I'm just a very private person" excuse must be shelved if one truly wants to help others in a similar struggle.
"Deep Fellowship" is experienced by the sharing of believers on the same side of the struggle. The been there, done that, experience that one can choose to share in order to offer comfort and hope to another. It's the living out of 2 Corinthians 1:4.
But God, challenged me through Taylor Park's recent sermon, "A Fellowship of Fellow Strugglers" to examine the church as a fellowship of transparency.
Transparency is sometimes necessary if one is to truly minister to the "body." Pride has to be set aside. The "I'm just a very private person" excuse must be shelved if one truly wants to help others in a similar struggle.
"Deep Fellowship" is experienced by the sharing of believers on the same side of the struggle. The been there, done that, experience that one can choose to share in order to offer comfort and hope to another. It's the living out of 2 Corinthians 1:4.
I admit that I have trouble picking up the cuppa pellucidi-TEA, much less sipping from it. That cuppa transparency that houses the hurts and struggles of my life. I keep those very close to my chest. Afraid of the ramifications.
But God....recently allowed me a front row seat of one who shared a struggle with deep hurts. Transparent before a friend in the faith with a similar struggle and all the residual hurts from feelings of comparison and NOT measuring up. A risk taken. A transparency of heart to minister and to show love as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 2: 2:4. (Italics, mine)
A cuppa "pellucidi-TEA at its best---steeped in love and overflowing to another. It's worth the risk!
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote (spoke) to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I (and God) have especially for you.A love for another believer. A love which enabled one to take a risk and become transparent. A transparency that ministered the gift of hope to a struggling friend in the faith.
A cuppa "pellucidi-TEA at its best---steeped in love and overflowing to another. It's worth the risk!
