The Power of Transparency

When Mike Vrabel leads his team onto the field for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, it will be the tenth time this century that the New England Patriots have played for football's biggest prize.

But even with the Patriots' track record of dominance, seeing this year's squad one game away from a championship came as a shock to many.

Heading into the 2025 campaign, the Patriots were coming off three consecutive losing seasons. The 2023 and 2024 seasons both concluded with New England posting an abysmal 4-13 record.

Though there was undoubtedly hope that the hiring of new head coach Mike Vrabel and the addition of key free agents during the offseason would help the Patriots improve in 2025, few people thought New England would return to being one of the top teams in the league this quickly.

ESPN.com recently posted an article detailing key factors that led to the franchise's quick turnaround.

Interestingly, one of the key changes many people credit with the Patriots' resurgence concerns locker-room culture.

In a team meeting during the offseason, Vrabel stood up in front of the players, coaches, and staff to share what he calls his "4 H's":

History―Where do you come from?

Hero―Who do you look up to?

Heartbreak―What is your greatest heartbreak?

Hope―What is your greatest hope?

About sharing his heart with his team, Vrabel commented, "I was nervous. It was my first time speaking like that and speaking candidly about me and some things that are pretty personal."

In the weeks after Vrabel first introduced the exercise, countless Patriots players stood before their teammates and shared more about their journeys, hopes, and dreams. 

At the end of the day, the more the players talked and shared, the more they sensed that they were building a stronger connection with one another, which would ultimately benefit them on the gridiron.

As followers of Jesus, we need to remember that, just as authenticity and transparency benefit professional athletes, sharing our hearts and being openly vulnerable with other believers helps us all grow in our faith and build stronger connections with one another.

The command in Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) instructs us, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

The phrase "as fits the occasion" is crucial to this commandment because it requires us to be keenly aware of what is happening in another person's life so we can encourage and minister to them properly at any given moment. 

As listeners, we must be intentional about asking good questions and listening well to gain the best possible understanding of what might be happening at the heart level.

Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) says, "The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out."

Perhaps even more importantly, it means that in our communication with fellow believers, we must be fully transparent so they can see what is happening in our own hearts. 

Although it can seem nerve-wracking to consider sharing the deep things of the heart with fellow believers, we must remember that we all share a common human experience. All true Christians are not only sinners saved by grace, but also individuals who are still works in progress.

We may at times feel that others cannot relate to what is going on in our hearts, but Scripture tells us that any temptation or trial we face is common to mankind (1 Corinthians 10:13).

As we open up and share with trusted believers, we allow them to apply the truth of God's Word to us, providing the fuel we so desperately need to grow and mature in our walk of faith.   

Our flesh may not find it enjoyable to speak to others about our struggles with sin, but God promises a blessing when we are willing to confess our sins to one another.

Proverbs 28:12 (NASB) says, "One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion."  

James 5:16a (ESV) adds, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

Today, let's choose to be open and transparent about what is going on in our hearts. As we willingly share with trusted believers, may the Lord use their wise counsel and acts of love to strengthen us and conform us into the image of His Son.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for graciously surrounding me with fellow believers who support me in my faith. Help me be open and transparent with the right people so I can receive their encouragement. Help me also to listen well and support those who are likewise struggling. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.