Keeping Secrets

I shared the above link in an earlier "link" post and said I might come back to it.  Here I am.  :)

There is a great outcry about privacy and our loss of privacy on the internet and elsewhere.  There are some ways that we can try to control what gets out there about us and some things that seem beyond our control.  It can all seem a little scary.  As I think about it, it makes me wonder, what am I afraid of?  No to be sure there is some information I want to keep private.  My credit card numbers, bank account numbers, things like that.  I am not trying to keep secrets so much as keeping things secure from those who would use it maliciously.  And really that sums up my point today.

There are those who think that we should have a great deal of secrecy.  There have always been those who have wanted to hide their life, their problems, their issues.  I have had Christian people who have tried hard to keep things covered up and gotten upset if people knew about them.  Anyone.   I say there is a difference between privacy and secrecy.  I say that I want to keep my financial data private.  I do.  But it is not secret.  My wife knows it, my bank knows it, the merchants I do buisness with know it.  It is private but not secret.  When it comes to issues in my life, there are things that are private.  Afterall, some personal stuff should not be broadcast for the whole world to know.  That isn't the same as keeping it a secret.  My christian brothers should know what is going on in my life.  They shouldn't have me hiding things or not being forthcoming with them.  As a pastor, I am accountable to the church fellowship.  That means that things that impact me should be known by them.  It doesn't mean that all details need to be released, but they should know what is going on in my life.  It is part of accountability and part of fellowship.  According to the Bible, we are to share our struggles in the fellowship of believers.  "Bear one anothers burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ."  Things can be private, but secret is another matter.

The other point is, what are we afraid of?  If someone were to know my secrets, would it change their view of me?  If I am afraid of that, I have a problem.  The Bible tells us that God is going to bring everything hidden to light.  Sometimes he does that now.  "Be sure your sin will find you out."   If I am trying to keep something secret because it would make me look bad, perhaps I need to examine what I'm doing.    You want to know what I watch, what books I read, what things I've ordered on Amazon.com?  Want to know what ways I fail as a husband or parent?  (because I do fail).  Want to know what we struggle with emotionally or when I get down or selfish?   Its not a secret.  I don't broadcast all of that stuff, but I'm not afraid of the information either.  Get a good look.  You will find that I am a flawed man who struggles, but who seeks to honor God and is trying desperately to learn to submit to Christ more, especially as a husband and a father, but also as a pastor, mentor, and friend.  I have a long way to go and that is no secret!

Perhaps we would have fewer scandals, fewer fallen leaders, more trust, and more accessible leaders if we stopped trying to keep our secrets and lived open lives of honesty and brokenness.  For me, I have to sacrifice being thought of as a perfect man or even a wonderful pastor, but I was never that to being with.  I'm just a sinner in need of grace.