Group LaunchSample

Think about some of the greatest relationships you have. Why are they so great? Yes, you have fun together. Yes, both people are probably a similar age and have similar interests. Maybe your relationship has become so great because both of you have been friends since elementary school. But all great relationships have one similarity. They all have the "define the relationship" talk. You might have had one of these talks in middle school, trying to decide if you and she would be best friends. You might have had this conversation with the girl you like a few dates in. And then once you define the relationship you spend the rest of your life proving the definition. 

My wife and I had this conversation a few weeks into knowing each other. I liked her a lot. She told me I didn’t have a chance. But over time, our relationship changed. Why and how did it change? We became authentic with each other. We took off our masks and unveiled the real us to each other. And it was scary. I just knew if Ashleigh was aware of my dysfunctional family, my sin habits, and that I had a pet cat, she would reject me. But she didn’t. As we shared with each other our real self, I began to fall into love with the real Ashleigh, and she began to fall in love with the real Ryan. One of the quickest and best ways to shed your mask and live in authentic relationships with those around you is to share with each other the messiest parts of your relationships and life.

Questions:

When was the last time you were 100% real about who you are or the situation you are in?

What areas of your life do your mask or make look pretty out of fear of being rejected?