reflection 1

Authenticity in a relationship is really hard to find, but it's so sweet once it's found. I've been blessed with some very authentic friends... friends that let down, that make mistakes, that mess up, that aren't always Christ-like. But they're real.

I guess, in general, I like to try and give people the benefeit of the doubt.

Maybe not so much I like to do it... but I feel like they don't deserve anything other than that.



Trust is an interesting thing, though. When people open up to you about things - about how they've lied to other people, or when people let their guard down completely after a while and they feel like it's 'ok to gossip' - sometimes I can't help but to wonder.

There's a difference, though - between a Christian and a non-Christian - or someone blatantly straining to act like a Christian and believe Christian things. There's really no excuse for believers, I think. There's no excuse for being worldly, for participating in the dealings and the social acts of the world, for blending in and making excuses. No, there's no room for that.

It's important to remember, though, that non-believers don't have the Holy Spirit. I think we believers tend to think otherwise, and I believe that's faulty thinking, unfit for ministry.


So then, there's more leniance, as there ought to be. Because we're never called to be separate from the world. And there's the opportunity to have good friendships with the people of the world - within (and maybe a bit beyond) reason, I think.

Even so, it's never surprising to see how long or how quick the make up comes off. When they stop straining. When they're real. When they're real, that's when real work can begin.


Among other things, we're called to show God's grace in the world. I think that's only limited in how much of God's grace we've really experienced.