I love how God works behind the scenes in different peoples lives for the same purpose. Prior and during my incarceration I struggled with being myself and being honest with others. So many times it's easier to just say "I'm fine," when we are literally falling apart. And yet, the more I shared my journey and struggles, the more others reached out to me and shared their stories. We could now "relate" even though many times our journeys were totally different.
Several weeks ago I was in an Individual Counseling session when my counselor told me she appreciated me being real and honest with her. I laughed and shared how I still struggled at times doing so, but that God was working on my heart and I knew it was how I could really help others. She asked me if I had heard the song "Truth be Told" by Michael West. I didn't recognize the title or the artist so she pulled up his music video on her laptop and shared it with me. Wow, there is so much truth in this song. I've shared it below with you.
Truth Be Told by Michael West
Lie number one: You're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing, just smile and tell them "Never better"
Lie number two: Everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
But truth be told, the truth is rarely told (No)
I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine" But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control, I say "It's under control" But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it when being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall, there's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told
There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are," but I doubt it
'Cause if we lived like that was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn't You say church should look more like a hospital?
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred, and the prodigals like me
And when it's out of control, I say "It's under control" But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it when being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall, there's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told
Can I really stand here unashamed knowing that Your love for me won't change?
Oh God, if that's really true then let the truth be told
I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine" But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control, I say "It's under control" But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it when being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall, there's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told
A former student reached out to me about a month or so ago and said, "Miss Joy, I hear we share something in common now. Please call me today as I want to talk to you." I called him and come to find out he had spent 12 years in prison and had been out for three years. Because he knew what I had just recently been through he opened up and we had a really good conversation.
In Sunday School this week my pastor's wife asked, "Are you willing to be transparent?" We were studying 2 Corinthians 12 (and referenced chapter 11) where Paul is so open and willing to share his infirmities and sufferings with us for the glory of God. I thought back to the book of Psalms where David is also so real and honest about his feelings and struggles. It hurts to be transparent. It hurts to relieve painful events. But the world is a hurting place that needs to know God cares for them right where they are. Folks need to know that Christians are not perfect and the struggles we are going through we can get through them with a smile on our face by the grace of God.
God knows what you are going through or have gone through in your life, and He wants to use those circumstances for His glory. When you decide to be real and share with others, you have no idea who you'll be helping and how God will use you. So be real. Be transparent and through it all give Him all the credit because without Him we are nothing.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
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