I am Rip Hamilton

I didn't play college ball at U Conn. I didn't win an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons. And I am not currently the running mate of Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose. But in so many other ways I am Rip Hamilton. And you may be Rip Hamilton, too.

Three times during his NBA career, Hamilton broke his nose. Ouch! At first, he refused to wear a protective mask. After the trio of unfortunate injuries - with the accompanying surgeries - now he ironically refuses to take the mask off.

And that's where I - and perhaps you - can relate to Rip Hamilton.

Only the mask over our face isn't a physical mask. It's an emotional mask. We're not so much concerned about people breaking our nose as we are people breaking our heart. Or finding out that the "us" we project to the world isn't always the real "us."

We keep our relationships all on the superficial level, talking about things like fashion, celebrities, music and sports.

But never about our brokenness.

Is that you, too?  Here are a few good diagnostic questions to determine if you are Rip Hamilton. 

1. Are there a few people you would feel comfortable around with your "mask off?"
2. Would your best friend(s)  be surprised to know what you struggle with?
3. Are you more concerned with who people think you are more than you are concerned with who you really are?

The danger in this that when we "mask" our true self, it keeps us from having authentic relationships. No one gets to know the real "us." They only get to know the superficial "us." We are made for authentic relationships. Superficial relationships are safer, but they can't satisfy.

I am trying to work this out in my own life in light of this astounding gospel truth.

"We're worse than we think we are, but God's grace is far greater than we think it is."

It's amazing to think that the all-knowing God of the Universe can see me in all of my sins, hang-ups, fears, failures and insufficiencies and yet still love me unconditionally. That love for me is seen most visibly at the cross of Christ, where Jesus took my punishment so that I can enjoy the authentic relationship with God that I was made for.

I' am learning to walk with Him honestly, and now I am trying to walk with others in my inner circle in the same way.