Dirty Fishbowl

I have got to do some major work on our fish tank. Ever since summer it has struggled with water clarity. I tried several different small things to improve it, but I need to take some radical steps to try to clear it up. It doesn't look that attractive, It is hard to see the fish, and I'm not sure that it is that good for them.

This made me think about the phrase often used for being a pastor (or politician for that matter) that you live in a fishbowl.  I have heard pastors use that phrase many a time over the years and it is almost always used as a negative statement.  They bemoan the scrutiny, the exposure that public attention can bring.  I understand the sentiment, but I am not sure that I agree with it.  It is true that you can end up under greater scrutiny when you occupy a position of leadership, especially leadership of a group like a pastor or politician.  I just don't think that has to be a bad thing.  The Bible teaches that were much is given, much is required (Lk 12:48) and attention and leadership is something that is given.  I stand in front of a congregation every week and teach them and seek each week to shepherd them.  Is it then fair of me to demand that they, at times, turn their head and ignore what I am doing and where I am going?  Some would argue "yes, they don't need to know some stuff." but I think they do.  Not that every private intimate detail of our lives needs to be public, but the broader settings and themes of my life have got to be fair game.  The status and health of Sarah's and my marriage, the conduct and parenting of our children, our family dynamics, habits, etc.  All these are part of living before a people and teaching by example.

Now is this a demand for perfection?  NO!!!  I think the problem that many have with openness is that they feel like they are supposed to be perfect or are embarrassed that they are not.  They fear the people that love to nitpick over your failures.  Paul said that he would glory in his weaknesses, for when he was weak, then Christ was strong.   Sarah and I are far from perfect.  We have had to  (and continue to) work through weak points of our marriage.  We are still learning to parent and make mistakes which then we must address and struggle through.  In all this, we present a clear picture of not the "perfect Christian life," but rather "a real Christian life."

Its like my fishbowl.  When things are clouded and obscured, it is not as nice to look at, it is hard to see what is going on inside, and it is not that great for the fish.  In my life, if I teach my children to hide the things that are wrong, to put on the "nice Christian front" instead of being honest and weak in front of people, it will not be good for them.   Yes, it means that all our weaknesses and failings will be out there to see, but, that can be such a blessing as it keeps us humble, keeps us real, and makes us more available as examples of what God's grace can do when we stop worrying so much about what people think.