Embracing Transparency: A Journey of Healing and Wholeness
How Sharing Testimonies of Redemption Reflect God's Power
In many respects, it does not seem that long ago, and yet it was many, many years ago when Pastor Philip Lee, then on staff at Chester Avenue Baptist Church, (now, Chester Avenue Community Church), was encouraged by his friend and Senior Pastor, Pastor Keith Fultz, to share what God had done in his life.
Philip's initial response was “Get real!” In terms of his past involvement with homosexuality, it was a dead, ugly, a “don’t want to talk about it” issue, that he did not want to revisit or certainly share publicly.
However, through Pastor Fultz's encouragement and a whole lot of prompting by the Holy Spirit, Philip finally came around and agreed to go public. And he meant public!
Ultimately, a Sunday morning service was selected for him to share his testimony. No advance announcement was given in terms of his sharing and certainly not what he would be disclosing.
To this day, Philip finds it remarkable if not downright amusing that the sanctuary was packed. Wouldn’t you know it?
He remembers very well saying to God – “Father, I know you have a sense of humor, but this is not funny!” So, there he was for the very first-time spilling “it” in detail. Yes, you could have heard a pin drop.
Philip stated to Pastor Fultz that if he was going to “tell all about it,” then he was going to “tell all.” Now, not the sordid, gory details – that never has any value.
After sharing his testimony, Pastor Fultz asked the congregation if they would be willing to come forward and pray for Philip. To his absolute delight and “Whew, it’s going to be ok,” the entire church began making their way to the altar where he was standing.
A sea of humanity was making its way to him. It really was as though they couldn’t get close enough. Frankly, Philip was overwhelmed.
There is something incredibly powerful and wonderful that God does when we are open and transparent about our shortcomings, when we expose the dark past and present our lives. In an atmosphere of honesty and vulnerability.
It's as though the light of truth is able to shine on those formerly dark and hidden places, and the power of God powerfully, dramatically, and significantly provides healing and wholeness in the twinkling of an eye.
Philip reflects on the verse from James 5:16 (NIV): "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Those sudden and totally unexpected visits of God when He provides all that you need and enables you to move well beyond what you thought was impossible.
He remains a God that says today - "Yep! Possible!"
For more reflections on embracing transparency and experiencing God's transformative power, visit the link here.