Raw Leaders, authentic and real

Some days I get surprised by God. Some days I just am not looking for something and it just happens in front of me. Wham! Surprise! Wakes me from my sleep.

Today I got surprised, at church of all places, during a communion thought too. How does that happen? Usually I am almost in sleep mode about this time, sorry, but I'm being honest.

One of our leaders shared some very vulnerable words of struggle he had experienced in the life of one of his young daughters about 18 months ago. A time when she was in the hospital dealing with intense pain. He shared how he wished to take her pain away and perhaps even take it onto himself if possible. But it just doesn't work that way.

He used this heart rending experience from his real life to share how Christ has taken our pain and sin by way of the Cross. He could do that, Christ. He did do that, took on our pain and our sins.

I was struck most by Roy's realness and authentic nature up there in front of the whole church. He had to stop talking, more than once, being overcome by emotion. I hurt for him. I think maybe others did as well. But I identified with him. I remembered times of great pain and heartache in my kids' lives when all I wanted to do was to take away the pain and hurt in their bodies and souls. But I couldn't, all I could do was be there and listen. And pray.

If you are enduring a time of pain or your child is or your friend is, Christ knows where you are. He has been there and is not afraid to go there again, to the pain of a heart that is broken and dashed on the jagged rocks of life. He is a real leader who weeps like my friend Roy and aches for his kids, us. Christ is merely a cry away, a prayer. No text message needed, just cry out. If you are dealing with sin issues in your life, the same applies, Christ is available to you. He is familiar with sin, having lived on earth and seen sin up close in the lives of humans like you and I.

Thanks, Roy, for showing us the raw side of leadership! Thanks, Christ for enduring our pain and taking our sin upon yourself...then and now and in the future.