ci

"...Mercy triumphs over judgement."  James 2:13

In light of the romantic holiday which is upon us, pastor Kyle Bonenberger began the two-part Deeper REAL-a-tionships topic on Sunday morning.  He gave us insight that God helps us build our relationships and wants them to succeed.  Part 1 focused on our friendships and building a foundation that lasts.

"POSERS!" How many of us use a mask while with others?  Are you honest with others, yourself, with God?  The foundation for a deeper relationship is honesty and authenticity.  Don't be a "poser" or keep a mask up; being honest and genuine keeps a relationship real.

By taking your mask off, you can become vulnerable.  Vulnerability is the door to deeper relationships.  When we get hurt, we close a door to protect ourselves.  In order to get deeper in a relationship, those doors must be open. God wants to redeem the relationships that hurt us.  Be vulnerable and take the risk.

With the doors open, complete the deeper relationship always in the context of truth and develop healthy boundaries.  This brings us back around to the foundation.  Build any and all relationships with truth.  Yet healthy boundaries are the guidelines for freedom and success.  Kyle uses his wife, Lisa, and himself as examples; they are completely open, yet don't tell each other everything!  Shocking?!  Well, Lisa councils and as Kyle put it I'm sure her clients would not want Lisa to indulge their information to a pastor who speaks to a crowd of people every week!

Do you have a "safe person"? Kyle concludes by encouraging us to find a "safe person" and let the relationship progress naturally.  God designed our relationships to succeed, but there is also an element of fear.  Through the hurt of past relationships, God can deliver us to stronger and deeper relationship if we open ourselves.  Be truthful and vulnerable, yet keep those healthy boundaries.  Anything good in life takes a little bit of risk.

Take the risk!