“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” -Timothy Keller
There is something so comforting about being heard and understood. Something so healing about hearing someone say they know exactly how you are feeling and being right there in the midst of all your brokenness with you. We are all broken, and those who don’t admit it are just better at hiding it.
As I’ve been dealing with many painful life situations this summer, I would say that what has kept me sane, besides my faith and my relationship with God, has been those around me who have listened to me vent and express my anger, those who have cried with me as I cried, and those who have accepted me unconditionally when I didn’t have anything together. These people have come alongside me and been my comfort and I believe that is so crucial in life and especially essential for Christians. We need people to ask us how we are and really listen for the response. We need to be open when asked how we are, to be free to respond with, “I’m not okay and I’m really struggling right now.” This is vulnerability, this is honesty, and this is healing.
I know how much this has meant to me, and I want this to be how others feel around me. To know that they can be completely honest with me. To express how much life hurts sometimes and to admit that they are a mess. I want them to know that I’m a mess too, but it’s ok. We are all broken, but that does not mean we are defeated. In Christ, we have victory and He will give us the strength to make it through what life throws at us. However, in the messiness of life, we need each other to lean on, to cry with, to process life together and to be honest about how we feel and what we need. My hope is that we can be this way for each other. Because when we open up and are honest with one another that is healing. For ourselves and for others.
In the last week, I’ve talked to several dear friends who are struggling with painful life issues like eating disorders, depression and anxiety, poor health, struggles in their marriage, job loss, etc. Life is painful and we are all broken and struggling. If things are going well now, its only a matter of time before something falls apart. This is the world we live in. But take heart! God has overcome the world, and He has given us the power to as well. And I pray He enables us to be Christ to the broken, to be courageous and speak the truth, and to love deeper than we ever thought possible. We are all broken and we need one another desperately. So find someone safe to be vulnerable with, and make sure that you are that safe person for others too. This is my prayer for you all!
I was listening to this song the other day and it was just perfect to include in this blog!
The Servant Song
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I might have the grace
To let me be your servant too
We are pilgrims on the journey
We are brothers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load
I will hold the Christ light for you
In the night time of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born to all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony
