Pre-Race Blog, written on the way to training camp in October. Being real with ourselves and those around us. Creating genuine relationships that challenge, support and grow us…
October 19th 2016
Looking at my tired face in the mirror of an airport bathroom I began to apply my make up. I thought to myself, “you’re so tired, not even make up can cover this”. I had woken up early that day to fly to Atlanta, GA for World Race training camp. While attempting to remove the appearance of exhaustion I had to ask Why? Why am I so tired? Why do I want to cover it up? To go deeper, how does that desire to hide manifest in my relationships? What other make-up is being applied daily in my life?
Being someone who values honesty I strive to be as honest with those around me as possible, but at which point do I really get real? Do I tell others how I am doing when they ask or do I tell them what I think they want to hear? Do I speak about my goals and how I want things to be or to the positive things that are going on, casually overlooking my struggles? I joked with a friend one night about my, “I’m fine”. Which, as many of you know, sometimes I’m definitely not. But I don’t think I’m the only one who does this.
What’s so wonderful about God is that he WANTS to hear us cry out to him. He WANTS to know how our day went! God doesn’t do a drive-by version of hello how are you, and keeps walking. NO way! He WANTS to sit with us and hear from us. The good, the bad, the ugly, the really ugly, the exciting news, everything. Opening up my heart to God and what He has to say and how He wants to help me, comfort me or love on me has drastically changed my relationship with those around me.
Within a healthy context my friendships and familial relationships have begun to grow in ways I’ve only wished for! The authenticity and vulnerability that has shown up in the relationships I have with others caused a brief moment of grief for how I’ve conducted myself in the past. I can’t dwell on the idea of “if I had started sooner where would the depth of this bond be now?”, but I CAN overflow with joy and excitement for the change taking place and for what’s to come!
I understand boundaries are healthy and necessary but when it comes to God, it’s important to let him into the deeper parts of ourselves. Let us not waste another moment hiding. I encourage you to be real with God, and yourself. I also encourage forgiveness and the pursuit of depth in your relationships. Let us not miss out.
