Glimpses of Truth

Be Real

How ya’ doin’?  What’s up?  Doing good?  How’s it going?  You okay?  How are you today?

Isn’t it odd how we address those we know or even a total stranger?  Sometimes we’re just filling up time with words which have no meaning or compassion.  I enjoy people – being around people.  I enjoy watching people who have a smile on their face.  But I realize that a smile doesn’t always reflect what’s on the inside.  Yet I know that what’s on the inside has a good chance of coming out. 

I enjoy listening to people laugh.  Laughter is really contagious.  That’s the reason I like to hear people laugh.  But people are more than their smiles and laughter.  They (all of us) are created souls filled with needs, desires, and ambitions.  The list of things that make us who we are or the list of issues which lie deep within our souls and the abundance of needs which describe us—all these make us who we are – needy, guilty, needing help.  “My help comes from the Lord.” 

So – How ya’ doin’?  What’s up?  The list goes on and on and on, doesn’t it?  What’s the answer?  Okay, I guess.  I’m getting’ by.  Fair to middlin’.  I’m gonna make it.  Allright.  Super!  I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in.  (It seems that both the questions and the answers are often meaningless and add to the numbness which sometimes fills our lives.) 

Somehow, someway, we have been programmed to travel through this life of ours on autopilot.  We smile on the outside while we are crying on the inside, too proud, it seems, to just admit what our needs are, so numb to the real issues that we don’t even recognize that we have needs.  That’s always been our number one problem.  From childhood we have had this problem.  It’s a real problem.  It’s always someone else’s fault, just as any 8 year old or 18 year old will tell you.  Ask your neighbor.  Go with me to the jail.  Ask anyone you see.  Ask yourself.

As Christians, we’re in a spiritual warfare with ourselves, our pride.  Satan has, from our childhood, launched attacks against us in order to destroy our relationship with God and God’s people.  The subtle attacks have worked.  The “adversary” has devoured us, and we have swallowed, hook, line and sinker.

We’ve learned to cover up the real needs in our lives.  We inquire with empty words and we respond in like manner.

Isn’t there a need to be real?  As believers, we serve a Savior Who has delivered us from darkness, deception, pride, and all those things which have caused us to hide.  However, we’re in a war.  The enemy is well armed.  If we are not daily preparing for battle, we will not get to enjoy the rewards of victory.  Remember, this is a personal issue.  To prepare for that battle, there are things we must turn from as well as turn to.  I guess it means that nothing really happens until we are serious about the battle and sin in our lives.  If all of life has the “what’s up,”  “How’s it going,” not really caring attitude, not really getting involved attitude, then we know the battle (spiritual warfare) is suffering defeat day after day.

Challenge!  I always need a challenge.  God calls us to ready ourselves for the frontline battles, for the good fight of faith, by identifying our weaknesses, putting them behind us, and by faith marching forward.  Be real in your forward march.