I've been in situations over the past year when my
transparency has been called into question. Most of the time, it has been from
well- meaning people who think I am too transparent. I have seen the result of
a lack of transparency and it never ends well. However, when you are transparent
the worse thing that can happen to you is a lack of acceptance.
I recently read an article from Focus on the Family written by Lynne Thompson and I cannot say it a better way. “ Real transparency occurs
when I am comfortable being me, flaws and all, no matter what environment I
find myself in.” Why would I want to hide who I really am? After all, God
formed me and continues to shape me.
I look at the definition of transparent, the two parts
are 1) having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering
so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly. 2) free from pretense or deceit.
To me, as a Christian, that says that when I pretend to be something I’m not,
or deceive people about who I really am, I cloud the “Body” lying beneath. Let’s
put it another way, when I do not pretend to be something I’m not it humbles me
to the point of admitting my flaws, at the same time, it allows people the
opportunity to see the “Light” being transmitted through me. When I acknowledge
my flaws instead of trying to cover them up, it lets people see Christ working
in my life more clearly. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) says, “…so now I am glad to
boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
The article goes on to say, “Living a transparent life
can sound quite scary. We may never know how people are going to respond to the
real us. What if reality disappoints?” Are we living for man’s approval or for
our heavenly Father’s? The Bible says, “While we were still sinners, Christ
died for us.” (Romans 5:8) and “nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.” (Romans 8:38-39) So do we
really have to pretend to be something we are not?
I believe not being transparent can be a dangerous thing.
The article quoted Dr. Gary Thomas, author of Authentic Faith : The Power of a Fire-Tested Life, “Eventually the jig is up. Our God loves us to much to
allow the charade to continue…There is tremendous freedom, more freedom than
most could fathom, when somebody truly knows you and all your ‘stuff’ and still
loves you and respects you.” When you try to cover up your faults, it’s like
climbing onto a pedestal, you can only hold your balance for so long before you
come tumbling down.
I myself would rather lie at the feet of Jesus. It is
there that I know I am loved and I am accepted by the only One that matters. It
is there, I receive my strength through Him who strengthens. At the feet of
Jesus, there are no boxes of religion, there is no condemnation, and there is
no fear of falling because I've already fallen, I’m already low. At His feet
there is a love and freedom that no one can find while standing on a pedestal.
