Remember the dream where you show up to class and find out there’s a test that day that you haven’t studied for? Remember how glad you were to wake up from that dream? That actually happened to me in my college Spanish class. The sad part was that I probably did better on that test that I didn’t study for than all the ones I actually prepared for.

Are you like me in that most of the time you walk around your world thinking that everybody else is so organized and has all their stuff together and has all figured out. That everyone else has secret knowledge that you’re missing? Like there was a class that every single other person went to, but you overslept because you were too busy dreaming about unexpected tests?

The truth as I am learning it is this. You aren’t nearly the only one who doesn’t have life figured out. Not even close. Some may be better at hiding their dysfunctions and confusions, but every single person struggles with their lives and what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.

The sad part is that we’re taught to project our best self. We have it instilled in us to never admit weaknesses, but pretend like we’re always strong, always brave, always calm. The result is that we never see anyone else struggling and think we’re all alone in our mess. We never get the joy of sharing in each other’s burdens and lifting each other to God in prayer. Most of all, we never get to find out how strong Jesus can be in us if we never boast in our weakness as Paul did in 1 Corinthians.

No, you are not alone. You are not a mistake. You may feel like you’re hopelessly messed up and broken, but God sees a place where He can shine brightest. God sees what you’re becoming (and what you already are since He’s declared you to be holy and perfect and blameless). He looks at you and sees something precious, worth dying for.

So be strong enough to admit your weaknesses. Be brave enough to show your fear. Be honest enough to confess the sham you’ve lived and all the masks you’ve been wearing. Love people as they are, not as how you hope they will be. Let the love of Christ fill you and spill out into your world. Because His love alone can heal and make whole and set you free. His love alone can transform the object into something like Himself. And that’s what we’re all hoping for. To be like Christ.

Amen and amen.