Jimbo's Jots

After a couple of weeks of from writing a blog to focus on other ministry activities, I’m back! Maybe there was a number of you that have missed my insight. So, here we go!!

Donald Miller’s Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy has become one of my favorite reads. In fact, over the last several months, I have used it with several clients. There are so many nuggets of Miller’s struggle with intimacy and meeting his wife.

In short, it boils down to control and how open we are to sharing our real self to others, even in difficult times. By opening up to self and others, you add a level of intimacy. I highly recommend spouses and parents really need to read this book.

One story he shares is with his friend Paul. Over dinner one night, Miller and his friend were talking about relationships. Miller states that he admired Paul for being such a great parent. It was then that Paul revealed that when his children were young he had an affair. Admittedly, it was a mistake. But in revealing this affair, Paul had to open himself up to whatever reaction his wife and children would have towards him. In the end, slowly, the relationships were built back up.

The conversation turned then to 1 John 1:5, ” God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Paul then adds this statement, “When you are with God, there is no darkness, no hiding, no pretending. When you are with God, you have the freedom and courage to be yourself.”

To me that’s a refreshing statement! Typically, we develop this afraid-ness of God and try to hide when we go against him. What we are reminded here is that there is freedom in living in the light of God. We can go before God as we are courageously. And what we find in doing this is an intimate relationship with God.

Hopefully, in being open and honest with ourself and others just as we are with God will trickle down as we love on our spouses and our children.

Be blessed and be a blessing!