"I Tell You The Truth..."

trans⋅par⋅ent

-having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen.

- hon⋅es⋅ty

-freedom from deceit or fraud.

gen⋅u⋅ine 

-free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy;

We live in a world of shadows and curtains pulled. It is expected to hide your imperfections, wounds, and scars. Those things aren't pretty and you might scare someone. It is normal to push your mistakes, sins, and misdeeds underneath the rug or into a closet. It's ok to just put on your make up and mask the odors with perfume.

We so often ignore the call to transparancy and the command of honesty in order to save face. Afterall, it's all about looking good right? As long as the apple is red and shiny, who cares if you're rotting at your very core? Ignorance is bliss and if they don't know they're eating worms it won't hurt them.

I long for a paradigm shift in the hearts and minds of this generation. I want to see through your walls and past your sunglasses. I want to see you take off your masks and throw away your filters. No one is strong. No one is perfect. Not in and of themselves. It's impossible. So why pretend?

How soon we forget that these flaws are our best. On our own, even our righteousness is filthy rags. We are only lovable because He loves us.

These masks and disguises are weighing us down and tying our souls to the very things we wish to hide from the light. By hiding it all away we're giving it license to run rampant through our inner workings. Hurting? Don't show your weakness - just let it drown you in the dark. Lost in sin? Don't show your shame - just let it strangle you behind closed doors. Broken? Don't show your flaws - just let your heart crumble in silence. Better these outcomes than the possibility of being pitied, rejected, or criticized.

No. The truth, not a pretty version of the truth - but the Honest, Transparent, Genuine truth, will set you free. The truth isn't always nice. It may not always taste sweet on the way down, but it is good. In the end the truth, and how you've used it, is what really matters. Not your excuses and pretty painted lies - those will fade, but the truth will stand.

Tonight, I rejoice in my weakness because where weakness abounds, His strength is made that much more evident. I want to be transparent. I want to be genuine. I hope and pray that when you look at me you don't see me, but rather Christ in me.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalm 51

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:6

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 3:20&21

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