Healthy Friendshipsਨਮੂਨਾ

HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS - 7 DAY PLAN | DAY THREE | PEELING YOUR ONION

Who knows the real you?

I heard a story about a woman who was staying in a luxury hotel. As she walked toward the elevator, she noticed a man who looked just like the actor Robert Redford. After studying his face for a few minutes, her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to approach him. As he entered the elevator, she quickly piped up:

“Are you the REAL Robert Redford?"

As the doors began to close, he replied

“Only when there’s no one else around”

When we’re out of the spotlight, we don’t feel judged, we don’t have to fear what people may or may not think of us, we don’t have to fear people seeing our quirks or brokenness and leaving us. We are afraid of the process it takes to be fully known and loved. Out of the spotlight, it feels safer because we don’t risk rejection.

God has fully known and loved us, even at our darkest. In the Bible, it says:

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 5:8 NIV

But while we wait in the darkness there are certain people who shine that spotlight on us. They are the ones who have chosen to give their hearts and invest in loving us, building up relational equity.

Like an onion, they vulnerably reveal their own layers, one by one, despite the risk of tears, and help us peel back ours.

They are the ones who love us gently, who see through our insecurities and brokenness and love us despite our quirks. They have not given up on us. They know that the most beautiful place is deep within the heart.

To BE fully known and loved, YOU must also invest in fully knowing and loving another.