For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, in St. Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt
I’ve had a very busy, and somewhat frustrating, week. We’ve been without our only car since the middle of last week and it looks like we won’t get it back until Monday afternoon at the very earliest, so we didn’t make it to church last week (which, honestly, is something all four of us miss very much,) it looks like we’ll miss it again this week, and it seems like I’ve been telling my customers “Sorry, I still don’t have a car” for absolutely yonks now. So I’ve really not been feeling like writing a cheerful blog. (mumbles) Been a bit cross, actually.
However, coming back to this Word document that I’m typing in (‘coz it fixes my atroshus spelling,) I found I’d written just one word: Openness. I’m so deep.
The reason that I’d typed that was that I’m so super-spiritual that – no, I’d better be honest: it’s not a word I use very much and I wanted to see if Word would decree that it hath one “n” or two. The mighty M$ decreed that it should be two, and so therefore it shall. Thank you, Bill.
Anyway, as I brought this window up and noticed that solitary word I thought “actually, I do have something to say about openness.” Actually, I made a related comment on a post by one Mark Kennedy earlier today regarding just that. So I will. So get on with it already.
The thing is, I’m realising that, despite often being quite willing to speak my mind (see: big-mouth,) I’m not always as open as I should be. I tend to extremes, sometimes seeing it as my mission to shock people into seeing things as they really are – ahem, as I see them – and other times trying very hard to please. I also want to appear to be a completely healthy Christian but I’m starting to see that that is rather pointless – a bit like going to the doctor and then telling him “No, I’m fine, really, how are you?”
Of course, I’m not talking about celebrating or embracing my faults but, if I really want to be freer, happier, more useful to others etc. then I’m going to have to learn to be open, honest – and vulnerable. How can we receive help and prayer if we keep trying to hide the problem?
Ok, here endeth the confession.
Hi Nick
You really got me thinking about this tonight. Openness and vulnerability can be scary, especially when people can behave the way we do at times. I really appreciate what you’re saying in your post, and I think it’s something we all need to bare in mind. What’s the point in masquerading about the place, skirting around the issues? Let’s speak freely to one another with hearts wide open (2 Cor 6:11-12).
I hope your car gets sorted ASAP and the damage to your wallet isn’t more than you guys can bare! We’re praying for you! (We missed you at church last week – another whole week ’till you’re back?!?)
Thanks for posting!