But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3 16-18)
I have spent a bit of time cruising around the blogosphere this morning to find a couple of people thinking along the same lines as me. First John Smulo has a couple of posts on transparency, as does Lainie Peterson. Both of them rightly point out that transparency has to be appropriate, and being completely open to everyone is probably not the right way to go, but they both identify the need for transparent living.
Now it will come as no real surprise to anyone that transparency is something I value highly. I try to be as open with others about my own faith struggles as I am with God, to begin with this seemed a risky step. The risk was worth it, so many people have told me how they have been enabled in their questioning because I have dared to mention that I have questions. Others have spoken of feeling more comfortable in being open about their feelings, getting mad with God is an option, sometimes the greatest comfort comes when we are able to be real with the lover of our souls.
Having said that I also believe that there are times and especially when others may be implicated/ involved, that full transparency is pastorally wrong, not just insensitive but WRONG! Lainie correctly identifies that there are times when self aggrandizement masquerades as transparency; openness becomes a signpost to self, this is something we must guard against.
In the blogging world I write about struggles of faith, this is usually reflective and could probably almost never be described a systematic theology, but it is practical theology, and the process of writing it out often helps me to realise where God was/is.
In my pastoral work and in preaching I maintain roughly the same levels of transparency, with obvious care for confidentiality and the privacy of others. I have made one or two mistakes in this area, but forgiveness has followed swift apologies and action to put things right, if anything this has made me not less transparent, but less forthcoming with facts and details, and there,there is a huge difference!
It is my family and friends who know me best; WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) could be our family motto, and while it has led to a number of uncomfortable discussions at home it has meant that our teen have been able to be open with us, and even as young adults they often call home when they need to.
Transparency is not pretty, and can cause discomfort, but with obvious exceptions ( where it may endanger someone/ break confidentiality) I believe that it is worth it.
Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just a I am; thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
