My 2010 resolution to you

I’m a fan of taking the opportunity of a new year to look at where I’ve come, what I’ve gone through and where I am going. It’s a good time for me to reflect on what God is doing with me and on what I need to let him do. I usually keep all that too myself.

But as I reflect, I have a resolution to you. Starting now I am going to take Phil Cooke’s advice and be more transparent. It’s not going to be easy. I’m really good at putting on a face that looks like I have it all together, that I’ve figured it all out.

It’s a strange juxtaposition. I am a pretty confident guy, God’s given me knowledge and yet I’m actually a pretty insecure pup. I just typed that and now the publish button is staring at me. “You really gonna tell people that? You’re supposed to be the creative expert. How can an expert not have all the answers?” See, I’d probably pretend like your opinion of me doesn’t matter, but it does. And so I’ve considered not clicking -publish-

But you know what, I’m gonna push that button. I’m going to try to be more transparent with you and it starts here. I’ve helped a lot of ministries, I think God has given me the ability to be really good at what I do…but I don’t have it all together. I’m learning just like everyone else is. I make mistakes and I don’t have all the answers. I’m often afraid, anxious and constantly reminded at the depths in which I need God.

This won’t come naturally or quickly so be patient with me and hopefully understanding as I open myself up more to you. I hope that it brings us closer.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 12:46 pm and is filed under Uncategorized . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://www.bradruggles.com Brad Ruggles

    Good for you Michael. That’s a great (and difficult) resolution. Learning to be more open and transparent is something we all struggle with. I’ll help call you on the carpet if it sounds like you’re posting too much fluff. ;-)

  • http://www.bradruggles.com Brad Ruggles

    Good for you Michael. That’s a great (and difficult) resolution. Learning to be more open and transparent is something we all struggle with. I’ll help call you on the carpet if it sounds like you’re posting too much fluff. ;-)

  • http://www.mattholleydesign.com Matt

    Nice post Michael. I know what you mean about wanting to appear like you have it all together. I think there are a ton of us creatives in that same boat. My worry is that I won’t feel needed or relevant, but God is helping me move past that. No matter what, we are always needed for the work of God. Thankfully His word says “I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST, who strengthens me.

  • http://www.leapnow.net Cricket Quirk

    Although being transparent is difficult, it will be liberating as well. I found it takes a tremendous amount of energy to hold that facade that I have it all together. Better for me to be myself, faults and all, and be loved for it.

    God wants you to be you. Someone reading your posts will have the same or similar issues and will be encouraged by what you write.

    I’ll be reading and supporting you in thoughts and prayer as you venture into this new transparent territory.

  • http://www.mattholleydesign.com Matt

    Nice post Michael. I know what you mean about wanting to appear like you have it all together. I think there are a ton of us creatives in that same boat. My worry is that I won’t feel needed or relevant, but God is helping me move past that. No matter what, we are always needed for the work of God. Thankfully His word says “I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST, who strengthens me.

  • http://www.leapnow.net Cricket Quirk

    Although being transparent is difficult, it will be liberating as well. I found it takes a tremendous amount of energy to hold that facade that I have it all together. Better for me to be myself, faults and all, and be loved for it.

    God wants you to be you. Someone reading your posts will have the same or similar issues and will be encouraged by what you write.

    I’ll be reading and supporting you in thoughts and prayer as you venture into this new transparent territory.

  • http://secondchair.wordpress.com Joe Donaldson

    I’ll continue to look forward to reading what you have to say (and reveal) in 2010. I appreciate your commitment to helping the church communicate better. It is a constant struggle to get church leaders to embrace more effective means of communication. I have people who still ask why we don’t print and mail a weekly newsletter!

  • http://secondchair.wordpress.com Joe Donaldson

    I’ll continue to look forward to reading what you have to say (and reveal) in 2010. I appreciate your commitment to helping the church communicate better. It is a constant struggle to get church leaders to embrace more effective means of communication. I have people who still ask why we don’t print and mail a weekly newsletter!

  • http://mattred.com Matt Redman

    Michael, thanks for your honesty and transparency. I think we, as the Church universal, have to be transparent to really be the Church.

  • http://mattred.com Matt Redman

    Michael, thanks for your honesty and transparency. I think we, as the Church universal, have to be transparent to really be the Church.

  • http://www.jamesdalman.com James Dalman

    It’s about time to fessed up to not having it all together! :) Transparency is a double edged sword but you only live once, right? Rock on!

  • http://www.jamesdalman.com James Dalman

    It’s about time to fessed up to not having it all together! :) Transparency is a double edged sword but you only live once, right? Rock on!

  • Katie

    Great thoughts, Michael, and an admirable goal. I like you am great at putting on a good face while struggling inside. I once heard someone differentiate between transparency and vulnerability- that is a huge difference as well. While I think churches and leaders may be transparent they aren’t always vulnerable. Admitting you don’t have it all together makes you vulnerable. But then that’s often the best place for God to work through you. Striving for going beyond transparency to vulnerability in 2010.

  • Katie

    Great thoughts, Michael, and an admirable goal. I like you am great at putting on a good face while struggling inside. I once heard someone differentiate between transparency and vulnerability- that is a huge difference as well. While I think churches and leaders may be transparent they aren’t always vulnerable. Admitting you don’t have it all together makes you vulnerable. But then that’s often the best place for God to work through you. Striving for going beyond transparency to vulnerability in 2010.

  • Regan

    Hmmm… never thought of it as anything so sophisticated as “transparency’, just that at 52, I’ve long ago given up on worrying about others’ impressions of me. I am what I am, not what I’m not. Take it or leave it. (I was going with “sloth” or maybe “old coot”, but “transparency” is way better.)

    And, to my amazement, it turns out the willingness (necessity) to step out of the boat and just make it up as you go along is almost always interpreted as LEADERSHIP ABILITY anyway. So despite only seeming to have even a clue, there seems to be no lack of folks willing to hand me responsibility, pay me for stuff, and even listen to my opinions occasionally. (Well, not my wife or kids, but you get the idea.)

    I say come on in. The water’s fine.

  • Regan

    Hmmm… never thought of it as anything so sophisticated as “transparency’, just that at 52, I’ve long ago given up on worrying about others’ impressions of me. I am what I am, not what I’m not. Take it or leave it. (I was going with “sloth” or maybe “old coot”, but “transparency” is way better.)

    And, to my amazement, it turns out the willingness (necessity) to step out of the boat and just make it up as you go along is almost always interpreted as LEADERSHIP ABILITY anyway. So despite only seeming to have even a clue, there seems to be no lack of folks willing to hand me responsibility, pay me for stuff, and even listen to my opinions occasionally. (Well, not my wife or kids, but you get the idea.)

    I say come on in. The water’s fine.

  • Larry Rice

    As I often remind people, “We have a Savior. It isn’t you.” You don’t have to have all the answers, all the solutions. Do your best, and forgive whatever’s still lacking or incomplete. Blessing to you in 2010!

  • Larry Rice

    As I often remind people, “We have a Savior. It isn’t you.” You don’t have to have all the answers, all the solutions. Do your best, and forgive whatever’s still lacking or incomplete. Blessing to you in 2010!

  • http://citygates.org/blog Matt

    Woohoo! Congrats on a bold resolution, Michael.

  • http://citygates.org/blog Matt

    Woohoo! Congrats on a bold resolution, Michael.