passion @ uwa

In this world today, lies and dishonesty are common parts of our everyday lives. And even for Christians, I am sure we once lied, and even until now, we might still lie unintentionally for the sake of saving our precious time and energy that would take to be honest.

Sometimes lies do make life easier. Is it just easier to lie sometimes? Yes. But we have to keep in mind is: Even though it is easier in the short-term, it is more costly in the long-term. Sometimes the costs show up as our little lie locks us into a position that then snowballs and we are helpless to watch what was a small problem become bigger and bigger. Sometimes we solve one problem with our lie, only to see our lie create a different fire that we have to put out.

In this chapter, Pastor Rick gives an example that really spoke to me. Suppose you are having problem with a friend at work. He or she walks by your desk and says, “How are you doing today?” At that moment you can either say “Fine!” or choose to be honest by telling him or her the true feeling in your heart. When people come by and ask me this question, I will always reply only “I am fine thank you!” I will not be bothered to tell the person how I truly feel that day because I do not want to have a longer conversation. Or at most I will ask the person the same question just to end the conversation and I do not need to think of a topic to talk about. However, by having a deeper and honest conversation with this friend, you will never know what is going to happen. Broken relationship might be restored or deeper relationship might be built. Also, by sharing with the person honestly, he/she will then share with you how he/she feels as well, from then, we can even share the love of God to them by knowing what they are going through at that point of time. So from now onwards, if you are asked this question again, what are you going to do? Are you going to just say “Fine!” Or are you going to answer the question with honesty? GOD CAN TURN EVERY OPPORUNITY (even a small conversation) TO MIRACLES, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OURS.

In our lives, how many people are disinterested in Jesus because of the mouths of their Christian friends? How many people will not come to church because the disregard for the truth shown by Christians? We bear the name of Christ. When we lie, the name of Christ is ashamed and we destroy the trust in relationships. We get so focused on the short-term relief that our lies provide that we forget sometimes that our lies cause tears in our relationships with those we love. More importantly, our next generation is looking at us as living examples. In Gensis 26:7, Isaac lies in the same way his father did. Our missions on this earth are to share the love of God and tell the world that Jesus lives. God is love and He is the truth. Truth without love doesn’t work. On the other hand, love without truth is equally disastrous. How can we love someone without telling him/her the truth? How can we complete our missions here on earth without being honest?

If you have been living with dishonesty, it is not too late to change from this moment onwards. Our God is a forgiving God, confess and repent and He will never remember our wrongdoings in the past. I pray that before it is, you will live with simplicity, transparency and integrity in every aspect of your life.

With Love,
Steph