Last night was a breakthrough for me. As we discussed confession, it hit me that true confession to one another is not just airing my dirty laundry for the world to see. It’s a part of the radical honesty Phillip Yancey says is a trademark of AA groups. People mentioned how critical it is to build trust so that this kind of honesty can be expressed. It takes time to develop those kinds of relationships. When I confess there is not only accountability, but there is a discovery of Yancey’s other observation about AA groups – radical dependency. This was my breakthrough last night – I need you guys. If I’m to become all God wants me to be I need people around me who pray for me, strengthen me and encourage me. It isn’t just “me and God”…it is a body…If that kind of culture or community were to exist, who wouldn’t want to be a part of it – where I don’t feel judged, where people don’t try to fix me? Unconditional love forms generous community. Isn’t this the heart of the Gospel? Isn’t this what Jesus meant when he said he came to bring life as it was meant to be lived – not in isolation, but in community. Someone else shared last night how we need to be wise as to what, when and how we confess. True. We also must realize that this kind of sharing and confessing is risky business. But so worth it! So, for my part, I say “thank you” to you guys for pursuing this kind of community! Let’s keep moving forward!
Reading Miroslav Volf this morning...from "Against the Tide":
We live in a smorgasbord culture where everything is interesting but nothing really matters...
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