Mar 10

Written by: tim
3/10/2010 10:24 AM 

All of us do it from time to time.  Some of us do it perpetually and maybe even subconciously.  We've learned the art of speaking, acting and looking acceptable to others.  Accolades and promotions feel wonderful.  As much as we proclaim that you are important in this country regardless of your income, race, gender or background we strive for greater status.  In large ways or small we can all be guilty of posing.

Sometimes it is as simple as portraying yourself as being in control when you're not or happy when you're sad or agreeable when you flat out disagree.  There are times when we need people to come around us and help but we refuse because we're too proud to let anyone see inside.  There are also times when we're too selfish to get past ourselves and help someone because it could turn into a real mess.  Our HomeFlock (small group) learned from Chip Ingram over the past few weeks that for us to have community we need to be the REAL us, meeting REAL needs in the RIGHT way.  That part about being the real me or the real you requires honesty.  One of our members made the accurate observation that honesty is really the central fabric that holds a community together.  Trust never happens between liars and fakers.

We must be careful about this posing business we get involved in, it tends to have consequences far beyond what we expect when we start.  A young soldier just returned home from duty in Afghanistan for a well deserved leave.  He is serving his country but apparently that wasn't enough for him, he wanted more status and glory and so he posed as something more than he is.  Not that many years ago (December of 2001) George O'Leary confessed to "padding" his resume to become the head coach of Notre Dame Football and was forced to resign five days after getting the job.  Another website called www.cheatingculture.com reports that 90% of college students admit that they would cheat to get a job.  90%???  Is this what we have become, a culture of facades and pretenders?

The trouble with all this posing is that it is extremely difficult to stop.  Each of us poses so that we'll be accepted or even admired and the idea of actually being transparent could strip all that away.  That can be scary!  Think about this though:  Have you ever been with someone who really just is who they appear to be?  Someone who lets you see their flaws as well as their good points?  Refreshing isn't it?  The people that I've met who are like that have my utmost respect and admiration.

"Lord, help us to step outside of our image."

 

Sources:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/03/10/1103376/soldiers-honors-fiancee-surprise.html

http://www.cheatingculture.com/resumepadding.htm