It really breaks my heart to see bloggers write things that are not true in their own lives. They write way too far ahead of themselves, or sort of make up nice-sounding theoretical things to get reblogged, but it falls apart when you start thinking about it.
I only know this because I personally know a few of these bloggers, and really, it would be so much more sincere to admit we don’t have it together. That we’re not there yet. That we struggle with the stuff that we call out on others. Is it so hard to admit that?
It’s okay to say we suck at this right now. It’s okay to include ourselves in our preachiness. Because without recognizing your failure, you’re leaving a very bad taste in my mouth. I don’t mean to sound cruel; I seriously take no pleasure in it. I say that because I love you and I know you could be so much more than your pedestal.
We are not above the things we write. You cannot ask from others what you’re not attempting yourself first. We’re all getting by on the grace of God here.
Please don’t say “Confront each other” if you can’t handle rebuke yet.
Please don’t say “Love each other” without acknowledging you’re not good at it either.
Please don’t give “spiritual tips” that aren’t field-tested and life-approved. It’s cool to say you just don’t know.
This is not to look humble in reverse. This is to say we’re in the same boat and that I am working on this the same as you are. A beautiful thing happens when we meet in our brokenness and get to eye-level — a sort of dance that invites others instead of flaunting a desperate perfection.
It’s also not just enough to be honest and stay there. It doesn’t do any good to tell a man you’re robbing his house tonight. Change is a process, but that means there is a process. It means we can start today, where we are, this moment. But it begins with honesty.
God has grace for us on this, even for the times that we don’t.
— J
J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian 
You mean we have to come down from our thrones of glory! Ah…transparency…how deficient it is…
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This is one I need to bookmark and refer to regularly. A great reminder to us all. Thank you, J.S.
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Amen. Unfortunately, this is not a blogging problem, it’s a human problem (me included). I wonder how many pastors need this message applied to their pulpits? And how many churchgoers need it applied to their pews?
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Totally agreed. I don’t think perfection is expected nor possible, but there’s quite a lot of catharsis-type preaching that’s really just the preacher compensating.
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hehe, funny you should say that. My husband’s take on it (and he’s a preacher/pastor too) is that preachers harp on the issues they themselves are dealing with. Romans 1-2 is true: we judge what plagues us. Something that would benefit us tremendously if we actually admitted it.
Thanks, J.S. I always enjoy my conversations with you. God bless you, BIG!
C
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Amen! It’s so much easier to challenge others to do what you aren’t doing yourself. When it comes to teaching or blogging I have to be really carefully about not preaching what I’m not practicing myself. Sometimes it means saying less and other times it means being real about the fact that I need to work on those same things myself.
It’s so hard to find transparent people who are brave enough to be open about their imperfections in their walk with Christ and it’s refreshing and encouraging when you finally do. It takes boldness to be vulnerable in a world that’s all about image and presenting this picture-perfect illusion of who you are.
Great post!
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Yes! I do think though that I came off too harsh in the post and perhaps not as balanced as it could be. I once wrote, “Your bad thing doesn’t cancel my bad thing” — in other words, we tend to think we need perfection before rebuking someone else, but it’s better to speak up despite struggling with that very thing ourselves. That’s where the transparency comes in, as you said, and it does wonders for toning down the preachiness. Thanks for your insight!
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I may fall prey to this. I fear I am a bit preachy–no, a lot preachy! But to be fair, I am very hard on myself, and I try very hard to be honest when I suck at something. Thanks for the reminder.
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Ah, this brings back memories. When I was preaching I used to say that “You are lucky; you only have to listen to this sermon once and for 15 minutes. I’ve had to listen to it all week, over and over!” I agree, if I hadn’t worked on something myself I either didn’t preach, or made it plain this was an important message which I hadn’t achieved yet. Honesty, integrity is easier, really, than getting caught up on Tuesday!!
Peace
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Right on. Preachers must preach to themselves first.
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Ever feel like you’re not listening – to yourself? haha
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