Maybe It's Okay
Maybe
It’s Okay
Before
I graduated from Ohio Christian University, I was given the privilege to work
for both the Writing Center and Media Team.
During one of my Media Team shifts, I had the unique opportunity to
interview 2018 graduates of the Adult Graduate studies program, in which I got
to meet a wonderful woman who had not only survived human trafficking but now gone
on to make a name for herself. After the
interview, I had tears in my eyes at the vulnerability and truth of her
story. Immediately following, I went
home, wrote with passion, and sent the report to my team. What I got back in an email, however, left a
taste as bitter as spoiled milk in my mouth something to the extent of:
“I
really wish we could publish something like this, but it’s too real and raw. We have to maintain the standards of
the college professionally and only present the best information that upholds that
integrity.”
And nothing against my college (because I love it!), but isn’t that the problem with Churches and Christians today? We think we have to be “perfect” all the time
and put up that front.
Today,
I wanted to write about a lesson that I taught to a youth group on authenticity
and our emotions, and how we often don’t know each other as well as we think we
do. For example, if I were to tell you
that I was born as a redhead, have two-half brothers, and have never struggled
with anxiety or depression, would you be able to spot the lie? Probably not.
The same goes for each of us when someone asks us, or we ask others “How
are you doing today?” and we reply “fine, good, or okay,” when in reality, that
is the farthest from how we are actually feeling. And how many of us,
as painstakingly true as it is, answer God that way when He keeps
knocking at our hearts saying, “I know you aren’t okay,” but we quickly reply, “Yes,
Lord? I am fine! I promise I’m fine,” just so we won’t have to unpack and unload
our heavy burdens on Him. We think it’s
a polite and covered up response, but is it genuine? Of course not. God asks
for our whole heart, and when we choose to hide that from Him, we not only
debilitate our growth of faith but the impact we have on others through the
authenticity and vulnerability of it.
In
Colossians 1:17, Scripture tells us that “God (He) is
before all things and in Him, all things hold together.” His Word also
reveals in John 1:3, that, “Christ is the sustainer of
all things,” and guess what?! That includes all of you, and yes, your
messy emotions.
This
week, I want to encourage you that Christ is supreme and holds all power far higher
than anything we could ever face. With
this, He wants us to bring our whole heart to Him, even when we are not okay.
And why? Because when we are weak, we are made strong in Him! “His power is made perfect in our weakness” (2 Corinthians
12:9).
Below,
I have attached the song “Maybe It’s Okay” by We Are Messengers because I pray
that it speaks truth into this concept.
Taking a few moments, reflect on how you’re really feeling. Talk, pray
with a friend, and spend time with the Father; He wants to hear from you-even
you that’s a jumbled mess of emotions, confusion, and lies that Satan tries to
throw at you. Regardless of your feelings,
circumstances, situations, and the never-ending list of mood swings know this:
The world needs more authentic Christians that are okay with admitting that it’s
okay not to be okay.
Until
next time my friends,
Agape,
Amber
