Glass House Living

Donnie Dunagan was a tough marine.  He was a drill sergeant, shot through his left knee, saved two lives during his career in the military, and was decorated for bravery several times over.  However, all that courage in the military pales in comparison to a fact that Donnie kept hidden since he was a child. 

Donnie had a secret... and for a long time refused to live a transparent life. 

Over the past week, Steph and I have been living inside an actual glass house on our Cooper City campus.  We now know what it’s like to be stared at... commented on by people logged in to the page to watch... and have our lives put on display.   We do it willingly to show the world what our relationship really looks like.  No pretense or cover-ups.  Not that what we do is perfect... but what people are seeing is honest.  All of it is out there... mistakes that we make, communication challenges that we have, victories, and setbacks.  All of it is public knowledge.  No secrets or lies.

Fact is...God wants all of us to be real.  Transparent.  To live our lives with integrity knowing full well that people are watching and making notes.  Are we telling the truth?  Is who people see in our offices the same person that we see in the mirror each morning?  How authentic are we really? 

When Moses received the ten commandments from God, they included the one found in Exodus 20:16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”  In other words, don’t lie.  Don’t make up stories about others or yourself.  Stop warping things.  Live openly and let the light of God shine through and illuminate all the corners of your life.   

Are you living an authentic life?  Keeping any secrets so as to deceive others?  Only you know that answer.  Just like Donnie Dunagan did.

What Donnie didn’t reveal to the rookie recruits that he was training was the fact that before he joined the service he had been a child actor. The gruff, screaming, cursing, shouting drill instructor’s claim to fame?  He was the voice of Bambi from the Walt Disney cartoon in 1942. 

Gentle sweet Bambi.  

Some of us are covering up something far more serious.  And every day we live an inauthentic life, the secret gets easier and easier to keep.  Dare to be real.  Accept the challenge of a “glass house” lifestyle... allowing others to see and experience who you really are.  Your past doesn’t define you and your present can be changed to reflect the light of Christ.  It may not be the easiest thing to start doing... but the payoff is worth it.   You were meant for so much more than living a lie. 

You were meant for greatness.  REAL greatness. 

Covering Up

Humanity has a long history of wearing a mask.

Adam did it. 

“Then the Lord God called to the man [Adam], ‘Where are you?’

He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’”  Genesis 3:9-10

The disciples did it. 

“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.”  John 20:19a

Adam wore a mask to hide from his sin... 

The disciples wore one because their faith was challenged...and they locked themselves inside a room for safety after Christ was crucified.  Hiding in fear... worried.

Why hide?  Why wear a mask? Why do any of us?

Alcoholics Anonymous has a famous saying that says “We are as sick as our secrets”... and they might be right.  So many of us are sick... withering under the blistering heat of regret, self-doubt, worry, and a shameful past.  We put our masks on years ago and they have become part of us... feeling irremovable... seemingly permanent... 

Want to know if you’re wearing one?  When asked, “How are you?”...  Have you ever replied...

“I’m alright” (but you aren’t)

“It doesn’t hurt” (oh, but it does...)

“I deserve to be treated that way”  (I guess I don’t deserve better)

“It’s just the way he is” (What would he say if I confronted him?)

“I’ve grown to just put up with her” (All these years... I haven’t been able to change her)

Everything ok?  

We say “yes” with a lump in our throat and our heart broken.

Why?  What is the point of wearing a mask?  

Good question.  Maybe a better one is... “How do we take the mask off?”

How can we live authentically?

How can we go from our masquerade to God’s master plan for our lives?

We can start by asking ourselves these questions:

• Am I accountable to someone other than God?  Does anybody else know what I do?
• Who can freely speak into my life?  How do I take their feedback?
• How insecure am I?  
• Am I happy when I’m away from people because it takes all of my energy to be the person that they think I am?
• What would people think of the real me?

Do I even know the real me anymore?

You don’t have to hide... God says to discover His love... realize how unique and special He made you to be... and live authentically.  

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.”  1 Peter 3:3-4

You are precious.  Behind the mask... under the braided hair, the jewelry, the cars, the job, or the stack of bills.  You don’t have to hide anymore.  Let’s get real.  With God.  With ourselves. With our loved ones.  No masks... no shame... no more fake smiles.  

It’s time that the world sees the real you.  And let the real you grow closer to the loving God who put purpose behind every one of your heartbeats.