The Story
I’ve always had trouble with the word ‘transparency’ as we use it today. I don’t really know why. Maybe because it is an ill-defined word. Does it mean ‘see-through’ or ‘humble?’ Does it mean that one doesn’t hide anything? It could mean any of these things, depending on how it is used. I think that most people, when they say that we should be transparent, mean honest.
This last weekend, Carla was reading the biography of Eric Liddell to us as we drove out to Wylie. (You know, ‘Chariots of Fire‘ and all that…) In the story, Eric is a missionary in China and gives a devotional to the Chinese kids he is teaching. He talks about the meaning of the word ‘sincere.’ According to Liddell, sincere comes from two words: sine, meaning ‘without,’ and cere, meaning ‘wax.’ Apparently, sculptors would stamp the word ‘sincere’ at the bottom of their sculptures, indicating that it was ‘without wax.’ In other words, no wax was used to cover up blemishes or errors in the sculpture. If there were any imperfections, the artist left them visible.
Liddell went on to say that this is how we should live our lives as Christians; without wax. However, it seems that we spend so much time trying to cover up our blemishes and imperfections that we’re completely COVERED with wax.
The irony is that, just like an artist would purposely leave blemishes visible, God made us just like we are; covered with blemishes and imperfections. Yet, we conceal what God created and only let people see what we want them to see; a false image of ourselves that we can control.
The Application
So, what does this look like? Does this mean that we should share every little problem and insecurity that we have? I don’t know. I hate to sound all churchy, but I have a funny feeling we’re going to get somewhere like “It looks like Jesus.” Then we have to ask, what does THAT mean?
What do you think?
Yours, without wax,
mark
Nice! Looking forward to our trip. See you Wednesday morning. Scott
Maybe transparency is a willingness to admitt imperfection and declare the blemishes when appropiate; as opposed to focusing on them or brandishing them about.
Good definition of sincere.
Also looking forward to Matamoras
Great blog by Pete Wilson called “Without Wax.” check it out: withoutwax.tv
Beside the point, I was taught that “sincerely” originated differently. I was told in my 3rd Latin class that it orignated back in the old Roman Era and before, when people used to stamp and seal important letters with wax. If the wax was broken by the time the reciever got the letter, then that meant that the messenger or some other person has alredy read the letter and to beware. On the other hand, if a person trusted the messenger, they would just write “sine cere” (still meaning without wax)… but showing the messengers loyalty and confidence.
I am working through this very issue…what to share…when to share it…the wisdom that accompanies our vulnerability. I definitely believe God is calling us to be real…anyway, thanks for the thoughts.
Looking fw to seeing you all next week.