In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us, "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Later in the same chapter he says we are part of the body of Christ (meaning we each are a certain part of that body like an eye or an ear or a leg or a foot, etc).
Then he says, "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired."
You've probably heard all that before, and you've heard before we all have a purpose (yada yada yada).
Now, let me tell you a story (and I know I'm jumping around in this post but I promise all of it fits together):
A month or two ago before my husband got up to preach in church I stood up and said I had to share something with the congregation (my husband had no idea what it was and I think he might have been a bit nervous). I went to the pulpit and shared with everyone that I had been going through a very deep depression but that I knew God would heal me. I shared a verse about healing I had read that morning and then I sat down.
That probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but what was really interesting is what happened after church. Several people thanked me for sharing what I did. They said it really spoke to them and touched them.
Now to be clear, I didn't speak very long and I was speaking out of the depression (It lifted just a few weeks ago). What I said wasn't incredible. But it was honest and real and transparent. I was sharing what was inside of me, where I was at the time. That is what touched the people.
So, here's my point: yes, we all been tasked to do certain things in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:10 says God has prepared works for us to do), but one thing we each must do (because absolutely no one else can do this for us) is to be ourselves -- our authentic, transparent, real and vunerable selves with each other. Here is where the power is.
No, we don't have to hang out all our inner dirty laundry (please don't), but we need to tear off the masks and tear down the walls and just be ourselves in all our weaknesses and strengths. We need to show each other who we really are. When we do this the Spirit can work between us.
We won't be as close to some people as to others of course, but we can be real all the time. Sure, it takes courage but God will give you that courage. It's His will. If we aren't real with each other; if we aren't honest (but always kind); if we don't share our real selves how can we be unified for the glory of Christ?
There's power in weakness. That's the great reversal! When we're weak He's strong.
We need you to be yourself, truly yourself. No one else can do it.
Will you do this?
Please?