iCrucified

I read an interesting post from Seth Godin’s blog this morning (read it here to understand the context of my thoughts). It made me think (I believe that is the intent, but I digress). Technology like the internet has served to reveal the duplicity of mankind…generally speaking I mean. No one reading this blog is a fraud I’m sure. I’m reasonably confident that most everyone that would stumble upon this meager electronic journal is open and transparent in their relationships; I’m sure of it…

What is the risk of living open and transparent lives before one another; failure.., embarrassment.., vulnerability? I asked my best friend what they thought about “transparency” and was given this response:

“I’ll be seen for the person I really am; and I’ll be rejected when that is found out…who I am will be used against me. Being transparent removes the ‘shield of protection’ from my life and exposes my greatest weaknesses and vulnerability.”

When I think of who we are called to be as followers of Christ, transparency is part of the “package.” Sadly, many of us on the “journey of faith” have never considered transparency as part of becoming like Christ; however, living as open reflections of the God we serve is a requisite part of the journey and if our lives are not open…dare I say, there is no journey at all. Before I’m misunderstood, let me make a clarification. I don’t intend to communicate that we should live in such a way that we are regurgitating our souls at every check-out counter and corner convenience store. I don’t think transparency means that we communicate every detail of our lives in our blogs, facebook, twitter, or fellowship hour during our weekly worship. I am saying we need to be authentic. I am saying we need to lose the masks. I am saying we need to walk our talk…

I am reminded of a few passages of scripture that parallel this thinking.

Titus 2:7-8 “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”

1 Peter 2:15 “It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

James 3:1 “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly…” (an excellent study is this entire chapter 3 of James’ letter.)

Romans 14:12 “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God…” (full context Romans 14:12-17)

Our lives are teaching tools; they are, in fact, our strongest teaching tools. Our words are effective in communicating thoughts and ideas, but our actions reveal what we truly believe. The old adage is true; “actions speak louder than words.”

What does this conglomeration of thoughts mean? How does “Big Brother” convey the meaning of this post? In our age of technology and the shrinking borders of our global neighborhood, Big Brother is watching. We share ourselves and our thoughts with strangers more than we share our souls with our “closest” friends and family. We believe safety exists when distance and anonymity is imposed as a rule. The reality is that “truth will set us free,” and truth is Jesus Christ. Setting a standard of living a life above reproach and being open about our lives is a step of continuation on the journey of becoming transformed into the image of Christ. The world is looking for real. The world is looking for authenticity. Jesus wants to give them what they want…and the ticket to that show begins with my life and your life.