Give me Your eyes’
I recently was directed to a blog of someone that I read sporadically the other day, by someone I read more often. Jenny Rain left a blurb on face book referring to “this is what a church should look like” and I could not resist. Jenny has never led me wrong, and she certainly didn’t this time either. Mandy Thompson, the blogger in question had written about the power of confessing our sins/hurts one to another, and how sometimes it is much easier if we do so anonymously, as in the blogosphere.http://mandythompson.com/2010/09/13/a-day-for-anonymous-commenting/
I noticed that there had been over one hundred comments to a blog that was posted the day before, and that they were mostly titled “anon” and all the comments began, “What if I told you….” and were followed by peoples individual confessions of sin, hurt, pain etc. . As I began to read my heart broke with each new paragraph that was penned (typed) out, peoples confessions of sin, heartbreak, fear, and feelings of unworthiness. People wrote that they felt worthless, un-loved, hopeless, and beyond repair. Some felt cursed by God, others angry at being childless, some disgusted because they had a father who was addicted to porn or a mother who was having an affair. Some were teenagers who had been sexually abused years on end by those they had trusted, left feeling worthless and cast out, unworthy of ever being loved again. The tears came, I could not stop reading, my heart torn with every new confession, a brother or sister somewhere hurting, crying out to God and us.
At last count, there were one hundred and ninety one comments, and here is the second amazing thing, Mandy answered EVERY ONE. Individually and thoughtfully, not a nice caring one liner then on to the next, but each one with detail, sometimes doing her best to bandage the wound in two or three large paragraphs. I could not agree with Jenny more that this is the true example of church, Mandy not loving on these folks because she personally knew them, sat next to them at church on Sunday, but rather because she did not have to know them physically, but rather because she shared a savior with them.
Confession is such a healing act, when we confess one to another, whether anonymously or not, we are accomplishing many things. We are acknowledging the problem, and seeking to get past it too. As I read comment after comment, I realized that many of my brothers and sisters were really no different than me. We all struggle with the same things yet we fear telling others because we fear rejection, ridicule, judgment or loathing from others. We feel that because we are followers of Christ we are above admitting that we have fallen victim to many of the same temptations we preach against. I propose, we begin to give each other a break, and with it, give ourselves a break too.
Mandy’s post convicted me, I am going to challenge myself because of this wake up call. I am going to do my best to look at people from now on and not see the outer/physical person but their soul instead. I need to realize that it doesn’t matter what they look like, how they dress, how they act, they are a soul just like me with their hurts, insecurities, pains, and addictions etc. If I am judgmental in my assessment of others I will never be trustable enough for someone to confide in me and let me show God’s love to them.
Casting Crowns sings a song that I feel really ties in with this subject, called “Stained Glass Masquerade”. The following are the lyrics;
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
*Chorus*
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
Well 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 that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
God Bless
JFT
Well, I haven’t checked out Mandy’s post yet, but I’m crying already. Thanks Jim, for sharing about it here and for the song. The brokenness . . . it is heartbreaking to experience personally and to see others in that condition. But somehow, it gives me hope, Jim. It is for us, the broken, that He came. . .that Hope came. God bless you big time! deb
Deb,
Thanks, yes we all are carrying something that is a burden, but many of us just don’t want to release it by telling others, fearing it will expose a weakness or shame. God Bless
Jim