Jennifer and I formed a personal mission statement in 1996. "We seek to eliminate hopelessness by introducing people to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ by developing honest and open relationships." This mission statement has 1 Thessalonians 2:8 as its foundation, "We continued to share with you not only God's Good News but also our own lives as well."
Open and honest relationships require a give and take on my part. As I try to be open in my relationships I allow others to see into my life. What I want them to see is God's handiwork in every area of my life. I hope to give God honor and credit (glory) for the road I have travelled. Being open requires me to trust in God and His care and love. Part of me is worried about the risk I am taking; Will I be rejected? Will I be ridiculed? Will I be abandoned? I don't necessarily fear big reactions but I fear the subtle ones. The conversation suddenly ending; the joke at my expense in a later conversation; the avoidance of interaction later on. From this fear I create a confidence in two things: 1...an adverse reaction still means the person heard what I said and is thinking about it. I don't know what's going on in their head, I could have triggered a memory, overwhelmed them by being too open (it can happen), or any variety of reasons. In any case I have a confidence that 2..."Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will never forsake me." Psalm 27:15 People's reaction don't have to affect me. Because God has brought me through everything, I know He was with me in all things and is pleased with me pushing on, trying to do my best to transform my life into something better.
I'll talk about honest relationships in Part II. How do you feel about being 'open' in your relationships? What will people see?
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