Imagine sitting in a small circle confessing the sins of the previous week to a bunch of people you don't know. These aren't just small things either, but these are major issues that you deal with. These are things most people don't know about and if they did they may not talk to you again, or they may not treat you the same anymore. I experienced this a few nights ago at a Celebrate Recovery service.
Celebrate Recovery is a ministry New Hope is looking at getting involved with. It looks to help those struggling with anything from alchohol addictions to sex addictions to self esteem issues. It's a safe place where people come very aware of where they are in life and very honest about their struggles.
The thing that's interesting to me is that this is the mentality Christians in general should hold. If we follow Jesus we first ought to be very aware of our sin and areas of imperfection (Psalm 51...check it out). However this is not even remotely the case nor is it a recognized reality in the church. We're all afraid of people knowing our junk. When I spoke to the gentleman afterward about why they find this type of meeting so helpful it was for this very reason: there was no facade. Facade didn't work there. In fact, I don't believe there's freedom in facade.
Celebrate Recovery comes to grips with the pain. It names it. It's amazing what kind of freedom comes from naming your oppressor. I've known girls who've been abused and raped and their oppressor hangs it over their heads making them afraid. They are fearful to name who wronged them. However, in the cases where the girls muster the courage to do so a weight is lifted. It doesn't solve everything, but it brings the darkness to light and healing can begin.
So I am challenged by this idea of being honest about who we are. What you realize in these meetings is that the people involved don't care what you think about them. They've been to the bottom and realize their need for others and their inability to beat their area(s) of darkness on their own. I wonder how many of us are at the bottom and are afraid to admit it.
A great passage from James 5. It reads, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
Celebrate Recovery is a ministry New Hope is looking at getting involved with. It looks to help those struggling with anything from alchohol addictions to sex addictions to self esteem issues. It's a safe place where people come very aware of where they are in life and very honest about their struggles.
The thing that's interesting to me is that this is the mentality Christians in general should hold. If we follow Jesus we first ought to be very aware of our sin and areas of imperfection (Psalm 51...check it out). However this is not even remotely the case nor is it a recognized reality in the church. We're all afraid of people knowing our junk. When I spoke to the gentleman afterward about why they find this type of meeting so helpful it was for this very reason: there was no facade. Facade didn't work there. In fact, I don't believe there's freedom in facade.
Celebrate Recovery comes to grips with the pain. It names it. It's amazing what kind of freedom comes from naming your oppressor. I've known girls who've been abused and raped and their oppressor hangs it over their heads making them afraid. They are fearful to name who wronged them. However, in the cases where the girls muster the courage to do so a weight is lifted. It doesn't solve everything, but it brings the darkness to light and healing can begin.
So I am challenged by this idea of being honest about who we are. What you realize in these meetings is that the people involved don't care what you think about them. They've been to the bottom and realize their need for others and their inability to beat their area(s) of darkness on their own. I wonder how many of us are at the bottom and are afraid to admit it.
A great passage from James 5. It reads, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
