One of my favorite movies is Wild Hogs. The movie is great for relieving tension, making you think, giving laughs and questioning serious life choices and priorities.
The scene where they are skinny dipping is just comical in so many ways. Dudley leads the way, just bearing it all with his friends. He has no shame because he knows they all have the same parts. Doug loosens up and joins him and then Bobby just follows along because he doesn’t want to be left out. But Woody, he has pride in his way. He doesn’t want to expose his vulnerability to his friends. He wants them to keep thinking he has it all together.
When he finally consents and gets naked, the family shows up. They realize that this is not a good situation. They try to discourage the family from swimming but are not successful. Now they are all exposed. The family up and leaves the wild hogs and then an uninvited guest (sin implied) shows up. They run away fast.
Sin is like that. It shows up unexpected and casually invites itself into your life. Sometimes it is more obvious and sometimes it is extremely subtle. Watch yourself and those you run with. Sin entangles and drags you down when you don’t have a firm foundation in God.
As the movie continues, Woody still holds all inside and doesn’t share his burdens until he is facing 50 bikers and all his misery alone (so he thinks). He has hit rock bottom and has to fight his way back. He can only do that with those closest to him. His best friends, his ride or die friends, his 2 am bring bail money or a shovel friends. They band together because they love one another and fight together. Who are those friends for you? Think long and hard who you can really count on in times of need.
We are commanded to share our burdens with one another, thereby lifting each other up. Many hands make light work! You need community and the only way that happens is being vulnerable with those you surround yourself with.
No one is perfect. Least of all, Christians. The only difference is we walk in faith, forgiveness and love for each other. We commit to carry you in prayer when you are in need. God listens and tells us that where 2 or more agree He is there.
If you are struggling with something you are too ashamed to share with those closest to you, that is shame keeping you down. I once warned a friend that if they couldn’t act that way in front of their child that maybe they didn’t need to do it at all.
The point is this: share your burdens and ask your friends to go to the Father on your behalf and hold you accountable for your actions. If your friends do not support that, then you need new friends. Being vulnerable is hard but very worth it. All of this requires honesty with yourself first. Pray and Praise until something happens. God has your back.
