BE FULLY KNOWN

_{By Haley Kelly}

Sadly, all too often people fall away from the faith. You may be asking how this happens and the truth is that the most common reason is because that person was not connected with people who could keep them accountable. It’s possible that people who fall away attended a Bible Study. What I have learned is that you can be around a ton of people and still not be known. What I mean by this is that it’s easy to put on a mask around others so that they don’t see the real you.

With no core group of people who truly know the things going on behind the scenes in your life it is easy to fall away from the faith. How can a friend lovingly rebuke you and guide you in the right path if they don’t ever see your struggles? I realize what I’m asking is tough for some of you to do. You may fear that if people really knew your junk they would no longer want to be your friend. But when you constantly wear a mask around others you slowly begin to think that you can put on a mask with God and fool Him.

God who is all knowing knows exactly what you’re thinking and how you feel at this exact moment. You rest and be at peace knowing that God knows your true self and doesn’t condemn you. There is also a freedom in being real and transparent with the people you trust. Now I will admit that at first it was difficult for me to open up to others especially because it has never been easy for me to express myself. However, after I began to open up I began to feel a freedom that I had never felt before.

I challenge you to do more than attend a Bible Study and put up a front. I challenge you to be real and vulnerable with the people God has placed around you. Embrace the freedom that comes from being fully known and loved at the same time.

READ ECCLESIATES 4:9-12