Maintaining the illusion that you are a fundamentally well-balanced and relationally sound individual requires one of two things: 1) A rigorous commitment to isolation with the occasionally well-managed public appearance "when you are ready." 2) Or a presenting self that hovers at a safe level, "chipper," "interested," and kiddie-pool shallow. Politicians are not the only ones who need to air brush their images.
But isn't this precisely the kind of soft-core duplicity that Christ calls us to walk away from? None of us are really OK--and that itself is OK, for now, if we recognize it.
This was the first point that Jesus came to make. You won't ever be whole until you admit that you've been fractured. After that, your chances for healthiness get progressively better.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Foundation for Spiritual Healing
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5 comments:
Anyone who truly believes that they're totally well balanced and have got it all together simply in't paying attention.
We're all fractured to some degree or another and yet God not only accepts us, he wants to make us whole. That's pretty amazing.
Amen.
Isn't the issue that the church often creates an environment where you have to have that air brushed appearance? And, it isn't just the church... the world does it, too. You just have to have different beauty jobs done for the two different "worlds."
It's true what you say. On the other side of the mask, though, breaking out of the facade is incredibly difficult, especially if a church's culture has embraced that lifestyle for as many years as my family's church has. We've run into some pretty big challenges that have made it almost impossible to retain the same old 'got it together' act. Oh, my family certainly tried to keep up the act, but it didn't last too much longer than a year. That's when our family's education in authenticity began.
The shame, guilt, and feelings of defeat that come with both private and public confessions of our brokenness to our family members as well as to our church are much more challenging to face than it may seem. It's even more difficult when it seems like we're the only ones discussing our burdens while others continue to keep their own under wraps. But we can hope that we've encouraged others to find the courage to do the same as we have...
- MrsC
Thanks for the thoughts.
We're all fractured to some degree or another and yet God not only accepts us, he wants to make us whole.
Amazing indeed.
You just have to have different beauty jobs done for the two different "worlds."
You're right...and depending on how many subcultures you live in on a weekly basis, you could find yourself altering the facade multiple times. All the more reason to aim for authenticity.
The shame, guilt, and feelings of defeat that come with both private and public confessions of our brokenness to our family members as well as to our church are much more challenging to face than it may seem.
I agree, being open about weakness and failure is very humbling. Afterward, there is a solidness to a life, though, that wasn't there before. Knowing that God and those around you are dealing with the real person, the real soul, and not a manufactured front.
You and your family deserve a lot of credit, MrsC. Your church may not thank you for the example you're setting, but it will be well worth it in the end.
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