He must
increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Even the knowledge that I'm being obedient doesn't help a lot. I’m just not comfortable with the spotlight shining on me. It feels wrong—like I’m
calling attention to myself rather than to God.
The only way
I’ve found to mitigate this feeling is by drawing a clear contrast between the mess God has to work through (that would be me); and the results of His miraculous effort. But
for this strategy to be effective I have to be willing to show myself honestly—with all
my flaws.
At first that
was as scary as the whole up-on-stage bit.
But after a time
or two of letting people see through the me I wished I was (and tried to pretend to be) and
directly at who I actually was, I discovered something.
I no longer had to keep up the pretense
of being spiritual, or an expert, or anything else. Instead, I could just relax and be—resting
in whatever God wanted to bring out.
This transparency also took
the pressure off those who were watching me. They weren't misled into believing
they had to be something they weren't. They didn’t have to start out already good
enough to qualify to get better. They could start right were they were.
And
in the midst of all this, I realized I had the ability to achieve one of my
deepest desires, to be invisible.
Because through
this God has taught me that transparent is just another word for
invisible.
When I’m truly
transparent, God can shine through in all His glory. There are no smudges of me
to get in the way.
So my question to you is this. What smudges
are you holding onto? Take a chance and join me in the freedom of transparency.
How often I've wanted to appear a certain way to others; someone who has it all together. But the truth of the matter is ...I don't. I too have come to the place of more transparency. And as I reveal those parts of myself I'd rather keep hidden, God often uses that to touch someone else. I am amazed to see His glory revealed through what I'd call my messes. He takes my broken parts and transforms them into something beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this post Edie.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Debbie, you are so right. It's painful to reveal the parts we want to keep hidden. You say it so well. Thank you for sharing! Blessings, E
DeleteParaphrasing Mark Twain, being transparent is easier; you don't have to keep a false face or act on.
ReplyDeleteRon, so true! Thanks so much for stopping by, Blessings, E
DeleteGreat post, Edie. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteMarjorie, thank you! Our Thanksgiving was excellent, I hope yours was as well. Blessings, E
DeleteEdie: This makes me think about my need to always be transparent in my ways. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo very true—and so very difficult! Thanks for dropping by, Blessings, E
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