Real is something I don’t do very often and I don’t do well. Few people know the “real” me. This isn’t because they haven’t tried, but because I don’t open up. I don’t trust. I don’t allow them in. Want an excuse? I have plenty:
I’m an introvert…
I don’t want to be hurt…
You can’t trust anyone these days…
I don’t know them well enough…
I’ve used these excuses for years….. through high school, college, teaching, and even last week at training camp. You see, I never opened up. I chose not to be vulnerable, to allow people to see me, see my brokenness, and witness what God is doing in my life. I met 60+ amazing men and women last week, watching them learn and grow, being broken, but never did I open up to them. I missed out on so many opportunities: opportunities to laugh and cry with others, opportunities to go crazy and have fun, opportunities to share what God is doing in my heart and life.
I am tired of missed opportunities. I’m tired of not joining in. I’m tired of being a fake.
Supporters: You are amazing! As you walk with me on this journey, would you pray that I can be open and real, sharing my joys and opening up about my weaknesses.
L Squad: You have inspired me! Remind me to be open and real with you. Remind me what we learned at training camp.
“If you want a safe place, be a safe place.”
“This is your life. Seize it….”
“If you want to find real love, you have to risk rejection.”
“Choose to model vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.”
“When we choose honesty, it gives others permission to be honest and vulnerable too!”
“It’s OK not to be OK.”
Team Shekinah: Thank you for being a safe place for me. Don’t let me make excuses. Push me out of my comfort zone and encourage me to make myself vulnerable. Call me out when I’m not being honest and real with you.
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
