We are incredibly talented at hiding our flaws.
We actively engage in methods to distance ourselves from our struggles and limit any exposure of said struggles to our family, friends, coworkers, and employers. Our misguided efforts seek to perpetuate the illusion that we have it all together. While this tendency likely evolved out of self-preservation, it often achieves the opposite. In effect, it buries our troubles from those best equipped to aid us in our time of need.
This is not a new problem, but one that has hampered humanity through the ages. John's encouragement from several millennia past is to admit our shortcomings and free ourselves from an impossible pretense.
“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.”
Freedom begins with an admission of reality: I am flawed. And here's the spoiler: everyone else, to include God, already knows it. In spite of the elaborate lengths we go to, the only person we effectively fool is ourselves.
And its okay to be flawed. We were designed to live in community. To love, encourage, and build up those in our proximity. We fulfill each others gaps and collectively realize our potentials and best selves.
Furthermore God is patiently waiting for us to surrender our pride and restore our relationship with him. A relationship, like any other, that is built on honesty and trust. He sacrificed that he might be able "purge us of all wrongdoing" and restore that relationship.
This week I encourage you to free yourself from the burden of manufactured perfection and admit your needs. There are people who can't wait to help you if you would only ask.
- the contrary disciple