Over the course of the past few months, a comment has been
made to me multiple times that has really stood out to me. I feel like most
people wouldn’t think twice about it, but it really got me thinking. I can
remember distinct occasions lately where a friend has told me “you seem like
you have it all together,” or “you just have everything figured out.”
I’m fairly confident that every time someone told me this, I
laughed in their face and explained that I have NOTHING figured out.
Yes, I had an amazing first semester at a university that I love
with all my heart; but I’m also double majoring in fields that I’m not 100%
confident are for me. I’ve had the
hardest time (that’d be an understatement) dealing with my grandmother’s
passing away this summer. I’ve been stressed and upset about losing valuable
friendships from high school. To top all that off, right before I moved to
Clemson, I was asking myself if my faith was founded on what I believed or what
my parents believed. Looking at everything I’ve been going through, in my
personal opinion, I don’t seem like someone who “has it all together.”
The comment just confused me. I couldn’t help but wonder,
why in the world do people look up to ME because I “have it all together” when
I clearly don’t? It just wasn’t adding up. After giving consideration to this
thought, I’ve came to a realization. While this comment could have been made
because my friends see that I try to place my trust in God for all circumstances
(which I sincerely hope is the reason), it got me thinking about transparency
and being honest with ourselves and with others.
A weakness of mine is being transparent. When smaller situations
occur that are just frustrating or upsetting, I have good friends that I can
talk to about it. However, whenever I’m truly going through a hard time…good
luck trying to get me to say anything. But, the truth is, the times when I
close people off is when I need community the most.
I think that a lot of times, Christians believe that we need
to make it seem that we “have it all together” or are living a perfect, happy
life. It’s almost frowned upon to open up to others about things because we
will be seen as “needy” or “dramatic” (although I will admit that there is a
line separating being honest about what you’re going through and seeking
attention). Everyone knows that when someone asks us how we’re doing, our automatic
reaction is “I’m good,” regardless of our circumstances.
It’s our duty as brothers and sisters in Christ to lift each
other up and support each other in our journey. If we don’t allow ourselves to
open up to each other, then we can’t support each other. We aren’t meant to go
through this life alone. We have the Holy Spirit with us, and we also have all
followers of Christ as our family. The bible tells us and shows us over and
over again that living as a follower of Christ isn’t going to be easy; we’re
going to face trials, temptations, and persecution. That’s a lot to handle alone, don’t you think? Galatians 6:2 says that we are to “Bear one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” See, that’s the thing. God knew
this life was going to be difficult and he doesn’t want us to think we’re in
this by ourselves! He has designed us to have a community to build us up,
encourage us, support us, etc.
I know how valuable
and appreciated my brothers and sisters in Christ have been while I’m going
through minor situations, so I’ve realized I need to be honest with them and
accept that they’re there to help me through the big things as well. Like I said,
we’re designed to live in community, so I think it’s time we trust in the
amazing support system God has designed us for and blessed us with. When Troy
and Gabriella told us “we’re all in this together” in 2006, they weren’t lying.
(cheesy but I can’t help it :)
-Taylor
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