DAY 12 -

Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; James 5:16; Isaiah 59:2

Chris Sheep, missionary to Comoro, does a good job explaining transparency and openness.  It's almost become a joke for us in the west to hear someone express that they are planning to or trying to be transparent.  Our political leaders try to pull the transparency card and it always comes back to get them.  Not because they were transparent... the clear Biblical principle here is that the "Truth will set you free..." but rather their in ability to be truly transparent.

Chris and his family live in a society that welcomes the guest and in his words, "generosity and hospitality are prized, and sharing food is pretty much compulsory..."  I thought about what that might look like at Taste of Texas, a Christian owned and operated steakhouse here in Houston.  People walking around sampling everyone's steak and dessert, and that being okay?  Not in Texas!  You mess with a man's steak it's like insulting a man's momma.  There are things you do and things you just don't do and that's one of em.  What would this look like in my neighborhood? Would I be comfortable with my neighbor just dropping by and 'expecting' my hospitality?  The funny thing is that my children actually do!  They literally invite their little friends and expect it to be okay for them to stay and eat, and possible spend the night.

Why is transparency so difficult?  Is it really about how clean the house is or about how much or little food you actually have prepared?  I appreciate Chris's perspective and providing 1 Thessalonians 2:8.  This is certainly another level of transparency that is reserved for those willing to allow others into their heart.  Paul not only shared the Gospel with the Thessalonians he shared his own life with them...

My challenge is to ask God to help me find that place where transparency is a natural process in my relationships and not an obligation.