Raw. Advent Day 6. December 6, 2013.

The word raw has become a “bad” word.

Raw vegetables. Ew.

Raw wounds. Ouch.

Raw weather. Ick.

It’s rarely associated with something pleasant.

And don’t dare associate it with people,

especially in plastic Southern California.

I’d like to object.

There is so much depth a beauty to be found in being raw

but we bypass that concept

and put on our fake faces

with plastic smiles

as we live our perfect lives.

Instead of allowing ourselves to be real,

we are fake.

This is from a letter that I wrote, it better explains what I am trying to get at here:

Even though Southern California is way wealthy, has the stunning ocean, and the year-round incredible weather, we are lacking. We are lacking in what it means to feel self-worth for who we are and not what we own. We don’t feel loved so we kill other’s spirits. We feel alone among thousands upon thousands of other people and we fall into depression. We respond to the question of “How are you?” with a fake smile and a “Fine, thank you. How are you?” when we are really falling apart on the inside. We don’t want to ask questions because we don’t want to be obtrusive or offensive.

I hate when people are fake,

when they put up a front,

when they hide who they really are

or what they are really feeling.

The ironic thing here though is

I do just what I hate.

I’d rather be fake,

not tell you how I’m really doing,

slap on the necessary smile,

not let you know my faults and shortcomings;

moving right along.

But there are so many limits to being fake.

When we open up,

and let people in,

we have this incredible opportunity for

deep and meaningful relationships.

When we are honest about our

failures,

weaknesses,

brokenness,

faults,

sorrows,

things happen.

We find relief in not needing to be fake,

we see that others are struggling too,

we see that maybe we can help someone,

we see beauty,

we see truth,

we see raw.

Casting Crowns says this all beautifully...

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Casting Crowns-Stained Glass Masquerade