Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
We are big Casting Crowns fans around here; And they have a song called “Stained Glass Masquerade”. Ever heard it? The lyrics are so good… here are a few lines.
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
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
This song talks about the struggles many of us face deep down but can never show it in the church. How sad is it that we can’t be real with one another among brothers and sisters in the Lord!? Church should be the one place that we CAN show what’s inside!
As many of you know, one of our ministries in Israel is hospitality — having a “church” of sorts in our home. People flock here from all over and our family rarely gets time alone. So among other things, when we have a disagreement, we have succumb to vocalize it for all to hear. Yeah, I know that might make people feel uncomfortable at times but since our house is always full, it’s almost inevitable — we’re forced to keep it real!
God wants to tear down the barriers between our home life and our church life! He wants us to be transparent with one another. He wants us to love one another as He has loved us and receive one another as He receives us when we fail. This is how we grow individually and as a body. It might be a little uncomfortable, but it’s so necessary!
Let’s get real and keep it real, brothers and sisters! There’s so much work to be done!
Read more Christian Devotions on: Character, Fellowship, Maturity, Transparency
Have mercy! Sometimes I get aggravated by “church folks” more than folks in the world. I think my expectations of them are higher. I always examine myself to know if faults are mine. However, my church seems to always have some type of confusion. I am the sensitive type so when “church hurts” I feel the hurt. There are some really wonderful people at my church. I truly get good counsel from them and I feel God leading me in their direction. I realize that it is a “daily walk” with the Almighty for all of us! Pray for me, please.
Keeping
it real? This devotion was so well timed it cut to the core. Even Christians have dreams that remain
unfulfilled regardless of how much prayer has been done and how many tears have been shed. Sometimes the pain
continues long after you’ve learned your lesson. Grief is not evidence of faithlessness but our humanness. Never forget that He cried too. Be real, but know that this is risky, and won’t always be received well by others. But do it anyway.