Do you find it difficult to be truly open with people? Do you sometimes put on an act out of fear that people won’t accept you if they knew the real you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone in fact most of us put on some form of act or another in order to gain attention.
That’s what I’ve learned from Scary Close by Don Miller
Who is Don Miller and What is Scary Close About?
Don Miller is the New York times best selling author of Blue like Jazz (non religious thoughts on Christian Spirituality), A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and now works with Storyline and Storybrand to help people and companies live a better story.
Scary Close follows the style in Don’s previous books in sharing his personal story and through it lessons he has learned along the way. Unlike (or more so than) previous books, this is a very “warts and all” book with Don owning up to some particular bad mistakes that all centred around his co-dependency issues. However, like every good story, there is a happy ending (but maybe not the neatest) with Don becoming better at dropping his act and allowing people to accept or reject him as he is.
This book had a deep impact on me in that I realised I have issue of fear surrounding being accepted. These issues have caused me to not always do the right thing and more often freeze me at crucial moments. I also recognized ways where I’ve tried to manipulate people in my life and people who are manipulative in my life. I’ve made a personal vow to work on being truer to myself and “dropping the act.”
Why This Could Be Useful for You and Your Church
Some Christians and Churches put on acts hoping that it will make people more attracted to them. Likewise they can try to manipulate people into doing what they really want, but this is ultimately extremely painful and destructive.
Sure, being open and honest can be painful (especially when people reject us) and it can be scary, but ultimately the only way for us to have true intimacy and change in our lives and our fellow church members lives is through being real.
Scary Close will help you follow that path and grow.
Final Words
If you are a fan of Don Miller’s works then I’m sure you’ll love this book. If you’ve never read one of his books then I can’t say for certain, some people really don’t like Don Miller’s style or following a personal narrative with lessons along the way (they’d rather have some fiction or a detailed book on a topic). If that’s you, don’t read it.
Speak your mind...