There is another lie that threatens our confidence and causes our identity to sink: “I am what people think or say about me.” We can assign so much value to the opinions and words to the people that their words cause us to rise or sink. We can even begin identify ourselves by their words. Solomon is right, however, when he says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Prov 29:25). When we assign so much value to the opinions of people, we will only be caught in a trap. But trusting in the Lord and in his opinion of us only keeps us safe. This is God’s opinion of us in Christ: “You are my beloved child. I love you. And you are simply awesome. My masterpiece. Created in Christ Jesus to do good works that I have prepared in advance for you to do.” Yet, believing this and living by it is harder than we can imagine.

How can we live for an audience of One, who simple thinks that we’re awesome? We can live this way by entering places of vulnerability.

By opening ourselves up to our closest friends, what some call their “3 am friends,” and, by being truly transparent and vulnerable. As we enter these places of vulnerability, we will let our friends see all the way to the bottom of us (which isn’t always so beautiful). By being transparent and authentic with them, we can break through the idea that we have to put forward a façade that people will validate. But it’s not just that. The best friends will confront us with our sins to break us of any pride remaining. But more than that, our best friends will preach Christ to us, truly consoling and comforting us with the promises of our Savior God. Romans 1:1-13