THE NET

BUILDING AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS 

Authentic relationships are built upon love, trust and intimacy. We live in a world where it's become socially acceptable to reinvent oneself at whim. As a society we've adopted this attitude, "Ok, just change who you are. Be who ever you want to be."  The problem with that is, changing the outside has nothing to do with healing the inside, and it's the inside - our souls - that are in need of healing. We've gotten so good at pretending to be someone we're not; yet the cry of the human heart is to be known, loved and accepted for WHO WE ARE. Our souls long for something genuine.  That, friends, is the wonder and beauty of Jesus. His love and acceptance is unconditional.  HE KNOWS US and has decided to love us anyway. We didn't deserve it, but He decided to forgive our sins anyway. This is the foundation of trust so that the rest of the relationship can develop naturally. So, how do we get past the walls we've built up around us? Walls of fear...walls built out of self preservation...fear of being judged and rejected by others. Because, deep down we're all asking pretty much the same question: "WHAT IF THEY DON"T LIKE THE REAL ME?" Somebody has to take the leap. The body of Christ, not to mention the world desperately needs authenticity. Will you lay down your life and reputation in order to build authentic relationships? Will you nail your ego to the cross of love and share the parts of yourself that you're uncomfortable with, in the hope of reaching others with your testimony of God's goodness and grace?

 

The question to each of us is whether or not we will take the risk of letting others really know us. How much do we share, and with whom? Who can we trust with our deepest, darkest secrets? How does transparency affect our relationship with Christ? How will it affect our relationships with others? Listen in to an interview with Laura on the Parker J. Cole radio show. Click on the link.