Is your problem with Twitter or reality?

I hear a lot about authenticity, character, being real. I am actually for all of the above. But we have to realize a few of things. As long as people are people, on some level, we all wear masks. We all want to be real, but it is a daily, hourly, by the minute struggle.

The other day I was on the phone with a friend and he was talking about how he hates twitter. He hates twitter because people act one way on twitter and another in real life. Same is true for Facebook, phone calls, meetings, interaction, relationships,  and real life. If people do not live real on social sites, they are probably not living real in real life stuff either.

The problem is not with twitter. It is not with masks. It is not even with people making mistakes. The problem is with expectations. We expect people to live, act, relate, respond a certain way. We want them to respond how WE want them to, and when they do not, we have a problem with them and their “realness.” We project our expectations on others in hopes they will respond accordingly.

This point was driven home last night as I watched Andre Agassi talk about his problems. No one wants their heros to be honest that they have problems. Andre lied. Andre cheated. Andre deceived. Andre acted like he was passionate about one thing, when he really hated it. Then, years after it mattered, he came clean on it all. He allowed himself to be honest and took the masks off. He was real. And real, as usual,freaked everyone out.

It is not good to lie, cheat, falsify, sin, whatever you want to call it…worse, it is not good to withhold forgiveness, to not have grace, to refuse to walk in love, and to choose not to be an unconditional person. See, at some point in life we all need a little grace. I am a firm believer in the fact that you will get it to the same measure you give it out.

So manage your expectations. Expect to give out grace. Expect people to fail from time to time. Expect less than perfect. Expect love. Expect repentance. Expect the chance to forgive. Expect the unbelievable (good and bad) in people. Expect people to be people and that we are all in this together. We can love and live it out or we can continue this cycle of mask wearing, false expectations, and let downs. Me, I am choosing grace, love, and 2nd-300000000 chances. No condemnation in Christ.