We all want to be known for something. Whether it's for being successful or influential or something else we see as impressive, we spend a lot of time and energy projecting an image of ourselves that we think will gain us acceptance from others. But this isn't who we really are, and if we aren't careful, we'll end up going through life without being truly known by anyone. And this will rob us of ever knowing true acceptance.
What do you want to be known for?
How do you practice image management?
Read James 5:16.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
Do you let anyone know about your struggles? Is there anyone who truly knows you and can accurately pray for you?
Bobby
Posts
6 comments:
Our family has been a part of a small group (here and there) for over 5 years now. No matter what church we have belonged to at that time, we were in a small group. Group life has truly changed us! As a newly married couple we were paired (By God) with people we didn't know, but ended up being so right for us. Now, being married for seven years and children later, we have discovered no matter where we are the group that God puts us with is always right for us. So- I challenge anyone to get involoved in a group and share your life. No matter where you think you are or where you are going, God will always put you with people you can share real LIFE with.
I served in student ministry for 12 years prior to planting Auburn Church. Image management is a large part of most teenagers' lives. They project an image of what they want people to believe they are. Sad thing is that many students would have one image for church, another for school and even another for Friday and Saturday nights.
However, the students that would get involved in small groups rarely would see the need for image management. They would experience true accountability and were usually o.k. with just being who God created them to be. They also knew that they had a group of peers who could walk through life with them...that had experienced the same struggles, pressures and conflicts. They had a group with whom they could share their mistakes and learn from the mistakes of others. They had a group that accepted them for who they really were, not some image that they had created.
Anonymous 11:52 post -
How true it is that when we open our lives to group life, God connects us with people who encourage and equip us to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Thanks for the challenge!
Bobby
Small groups are very important to discuss your life. I enjoy the closed small groups so I can really get to know people. I have a small group of people who really know who I am and really invest in my life and I do in theirs.
I know all of us put up an image of some kind throughout different circumstances in our lives but I have definitely not felt the need to in our group life. I feel like we are all fairly honest with each other and it is nice to know I'm not being judged by what I say or how I feel. I have done the Sunday School thing most of my life but the change to group life is something that I never plan to change back! I encourage anyone not in a group to find one, give it a few weeks, and see if you don't feel the same way!
I can't tell you how appropriate this message is for me to start off my week. I have joined a small group and will go to my first meeting this week. We are all sharing our stories and learning about everyone in the group, and I was kind of reluctant to do this at first, but after listening to this week's message I feel a lot better about it. I think in a way, we all want to be seen as "Good Christians" and want people in our church to have that image of us. The truth is, nobody is perfect and that's ok. I feel like the best way for me to be my true self is to be just that when i give my story to my small group. This is going to be a group of people who will enrich my life and have no judgements, and i just need to trust that the person I truly am is exactly what people should see.
Post a Comment