The Call to Transparency

Photographer: Sirylok

It is difficult to determine the level of disclosure necessary to minister to anyone abnormal.

Abnormals are those who don’t fit society’s overall arching definition of normal.  We be the ones (I know it is grammatically incorrect) who are addicts, abusers, familiar with dysfunctional family patterns, and basically live in denial about a lot of things.

Yet, when we seek the help we need, the help we desire, we find it in the lives and voices of those willing to expose themselves.  And we change.

Recently, someone joined me on a social media platform whose identifying marker said they were a forgiven adulterer.  Granted, I tried to see a face with the label/title, but none was found as I did a 10 second search.  Did it really matter what they looked like?  No.

The Cost of Transparency – Freedom from Bondage

The cost for those who live lives in front of the veil is -- we are free.  We are free to not be held captive to the opinions and judgments of the “normals” or those other Christians who act like they never did anything wrong.  Then there are those who know they did wrong, but, with noses high in the air proclaim, “I never went that far.” 

Ok.  So you didn’t have to walk in our shoes.  Kudos.  Congratulations.  Good for you!

But, we are free NOW.  We are also free to be used by God to help others and bring them out.  Equipped with an understanding that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, we are able to think, write and speak boldly of God’s saving grace.  Bipolar, bulimic and recovering from burglary charges, no matter our lot, no matter our sin, we are forgiven, redeemed and accepted.  We all are. 

The Gift of Transparency

A willingness to share our story or parts of our past struggles with others is a gift.  We don’t hide in shame.  We don’t crouch in fear.  We know there are different territories that must be conquered.

Photographer: Membio

Energized, focused and determined, we emerge from cocoons and share our testimonies to equip the Millennials, Generation X and anyone else to push forward, move beyond our pasts and live extraordinary lives.  By sharing, we get to watch other people transform.  What a gift!

With tears in their eyes, the other abnormals, thank us for being honest, open and transparent.  They share their stories with us and we can go deeper into the ministry of reconciling them to a place of peace.

The Rewards of Transparency

Finally, we are free to live joyous lives.  There is a level of joy we can experience and enjoy because we have made peace with our past, let go of the pain and shame associated with our faults and shortcomings in order to rejoice!  We rejoice in God’s love, we rejoice in our freedom from bondage and we rejoice in the improved life granted to those willing to face their past, heal and follow Christ.

Called to be transparent?  I am.  I am not embarrassed although I may not always understand what God wants to do through me.  Yet, I am beginning to hear the testimony of others who are coming out of their own forms of bondage as they say, “Thank you.  You helped me so much.”

In Jesus name,

M