How many of us can say that we are always our true selves?

How many of us can honestly say that we don’t ever wear a mask…we put up a front and act like we have everything under control?

I can honestly say that for many years I felt like I could never let anyone know that I was not okay, that I did not have everything under “control” or even that I needed help or prayer.

A couple of days ago I went out to dinner with a couple of friends and as we were getting ready to eat one of the guys said, “I am going to challenge you guys to continue the rest of the night with big talk, instead of surface level or what you call small talk, let’s be real with each other”.

WOW! I can tell you that changed the whole atmosphere right then and there! I knew that God was challenging me to “get down with my real self” and not only let people in my world but also allow opportunities to really be interested in others lives as well. No more surface level conversations, be completely honest, open and really be interested in listening, encouraging and even praying right then  and there for people around us. When I say people, I don’t just mean close friends and family, I also mean people at the grocery store, your server at a restaurant, your customers, your sisters/brothers friends and the list goes on and on.

One of my daily prayers is:

“Lord, help me be more like You! Let me be Your hands, feet, mouth and let those around me see Your love, compassion, grace, kindness.”

But what good does that do if I don’t ever seek those opportunities to love people and really be generous with my words and time?

For most people when you ask them, “How is your day?” they will answer, “It’s good” when really sometimes it is not good. I found that a lot of people get thrown off and often times tend to try to veer away when someones response is other than, “It’s good”. I believe those are the opportunities we have to really provide a listening ear, encouragement, or even an opportunity to pray right then and there for someone and really show the love of God.

“Let me give you a new command: Love one another in the same way I love you. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the LOVE you have for each other.” – John 13:35:36

I challenged myself and now challenge you, to begin to have “big talk” with people and when someone says ” I am good”,  be bold and ask the follow-up question, “Are you really good?” I can assure you that 99 % of the time that follow-up question will lead you to a deeper conversation. I know that has changed relationships all around me and even provided opportunities to build relationships and truly begin to exercise characteristics of Christ. Get uncomfortable, inconvenienced, be generous with your time and words, let people know we are imperfect people serving a perfect God. All God requires of us is availability and obedience, God will do the rest!