Show Your Work

I don’t like to show my work.

Strange statement from a math teacher who spent his whole career telling students the results didn’t matter if they couldn’t explain how they got there. But I’m not talking about algebra problems.

I spend a lot of time and energy telling my story. Why?

I believe I might inspire others to share their stories.

I believe I might inspire a sense of hope.

But – there’s a trap. When you tell your story, it’s important to show your work.

Not-showing-our-work leads to the sanitized version, the one where disaster in Scene 1 leads to instant resolution is Scene 2. The “work” is the gritty, messy stuff, the pain, grief, and mistakes that don’t fit into the Hallmark script. The “work” is wandering into places and thoughts you’re not proud of. It’s the Prodigal Son consorting with prostitutes and wallowing in a filthy pig sty.

We prefer our story without the gory details because we think it’ll sound more Godly, more miraculous. Telling your story and pretending the “work” didn’t happen might feel safer, but you’re encouraging listeners to create and latch onto the false Backward Hope of an easy, quick solution.

When we tell our story transparently – when we show our work – we encourage others to see past us, past our efforts, and past even the result. The “work” shines the light on the process, on Jesus’ long-term presence and faithfulness within – and despite – our struggle.

Showing your work points to Jesus, the true source of hope.

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An example: Why is life so hard for the kids at the Home of Hope? They’re innocent children, and we want a story of rescue and complete restoration. RIGHT NOW!

Jesus offers a story of hope, which isn’t about past or present, but about a future of freedom. And He offers us the opportunity to journey with Him along the gritty, difficult road required to get there.

HOPE: A confident expectation about the future based on faith that God keeps his promises.