"How are you?"
That is the question that Bethany Holland asked me as I got into her car Sunday morning to go to church.
My answer was, "I'm good."
I was immediately convicted because I had just lied to her. I wasn't good and I began to tell her that I wasn't and why I was in a weird place.
Don't you find yourself saying that to all the people that you meet?
It wasn't twenty minutes later as we were sitting down in church that a man comes up to me and asks me how I am doing… My response was even better than the last time, even after I had just shared my heart with Bethany, I told him that I was doing "pretty good."
Again, I was convicted for not being honest and real with the people who are around me. It's an easy trap to get caught up in and even easier way to end a conversation with someone. If they believe that you are actually doing good then it gives the impression that nothing is needed from them.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
It's the opposite of everything that the world wants us to believe. The world tells us to be strong, especially men, and to not accept any type of help from anyone. I found myself attempting to stay numb to these things that are encouraged in scripture.
As we were hiking later that day we went up this incredible path. It was between two huge rocks and trees fallen all around. The path was about 100 feet to the top and only big enough for one person to climb up or down. As I was climbing up I felt God speak to me, "the path is steep and narrow but you always have a few roots to hold onto."
That is the promise He has for all of us as we strive to be genuine with those around us.
Be real with those around you.
