Honesty

"Honesty is the best policy."  A childhood admonishment that I'm sure I was not the only one who received.  A rule that is sooooooo much easier stated than it is actually implemented. As we grow older often times it seems we make this simple policy more complicated than it should be.

Whole truths vs. half truths... little white lies... bigger white lies... leaving out the details... ducking the truth... avoiding the truth... and then there is the out and out lie.

Honesty.  Truthful, sincere, free from deceit, candor, fair, upright, integrity.

If this is the best policy, why is it often an issue?

Dishonesty exists for a multitude of reasons.
Trying not to hurt someone's feelings.  Avoiding consequences of our own behavior.  Fear of what others may think.  To benefit from whatever is being hidden.  Or perhaps out of perception that one is making things easier. 

 TRUTH IS... dishonesty never fixes anything.  Dishonesty never makes anything easier, especially in the long run (when the fallout is ultimately larger and more detrimental).  Hurting someone with the truth is far better than killing them silently and slowly with a lie (sometimes you are hurting yourself the most - you are the one silently and slowly dying on the inside).  It is best to just be honest, tell the truth and deal with an honest mess. 

Honesty requires true strength and true courage.   The hardest person to be honest with is our own self. 

TRUTH IS... More often than not, the person we are least honest with is ourselves.  PROBLEM IS... More people than we think actually know the truth.  You see, honesty is a reflection of character.  Honest hearts produce honest actions. 

Honesty may seem incredibly hard to find but the act of examining ourselves leads us headlong into honesty and often forces us to wrestle with the truth. 

Honesty brings integrity ... doing the right and good thing regardless of consequences.  When you embrace, practice and live honesty, you gain the respect of those around you, but more importantly you move in the direction God desires for you. 

Making a mistake is common.  Being honest allows forgiveness... of others, of ourselves.

"Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving."

My prayer tonite is for the courage, guidance and strength to embrace, practice and live honesty --- and in doing so you will gain respect and find God's desires for you and those you care for.

Job 6:25  How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?

Proverbs 14:5  An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

Proverbs 11:3  Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.”

Proverbs 16:13  Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.

Proverbs 24:26  An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Establishing a Foundation

During my commute, I've been watching several buildings that have been under construction in the city.  A casual interest as the train passes the sites has developed. Observations have been made periodically.  Each of the buildings began on reclamation sites - a site which once held a dilapidated building or rubble.  They've risen to become an office building 4 stories high, an apartment building and a 30-story skyscraper.  It has been interesting to discover that proportionally a large amount of time is spent on establishing the building foundation. 

Foundation ... base, groundwork, underpinning, the footing, support, the infrastructure, the beginning.

Getting the foundation right is incredibly important.  It is an anchor for all that follows and determines the success of what is built.  Will the structure stand firm?  Will it bear the load? Will it be strong enough to stand against the elements of time, weather or calamities?  Will it be secured against the shifting of the very soil or ground in which it is built?  Will it prevent collapse?

 

It would've have been impossible for any of these buildings to create a secure foundation without first clearing the rubble and decay that had been there prior.  The primary step to laying the solid foundation on which each of these structures have risen was dealing with the wreckage first.

Immediately following this thought came a realization.

In our lives, we have to clear the rubble to ensure a secure foundation as we begin to build.

This is especially true when it comes to relationships.

It may seem easier to just move forward - ignore the rubble of unresolved issues - seemingly resuming the build of the relationship.  If we do this, the ultimate end will be a relationship that will not have the strength to stand through the effects of life's elements.  Misunderstandings, trials, miscommunications, unrealized expectations, whispers, doubts, fears, hurts will erode the structure of the relationship because the rubble was in the way of establishing the firm foundation.

Work is required. Rubble needs to be cleared. Trust, communication and love are footers that need to be carefully, intentionally and genuinely poured.  It is only then that the structure wanted will reach soaring heights that will firmly stand.

As my thoughts come to a close, I am reminded that there is one foundation that will ensure we are able to always stand with confidence despite any obstacle or trial life may bring - even the task of clearing rubble and rebuilding. 

 

My prayer for you is the strength and courage to clear rubble; the perseverance to build and experience the rewards; and to always live your life on the True Foundation.

 

Job 4:19  How much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!

Isaiah 28:16  So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

Isaiah 33:6  He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

 Matthew 7:24  Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

 Matthew 7:25  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock

 1 Corinthians 3:10  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.

Moments

It has been said that we do not remember days... we remember moments. 

They are full of impact.  They influence, shape and change our lives forever.  Strung together they are the sum of our existence.

Moment.
An instant. A short period of time. The present time.  A point. A juncture. Of importance or consequence.

Lately I've been reminded of how quickly moments slip away.  It is sad how easily they are lost... how fleeting they are.

Moments.  Some are unexpected.  Some are difficult.  Some are painful.

There is great loss when moments are wasted. There is great loss when they are missed. 

Moments need to be lived consciously.

Appreciate them. Be grateful for them.  Enjoy them.

Cherish them. Treasure them. Savor them.

Spend them well.  Make them count.  Witness them.  Really experience them.  

Be present in them.

Exhaust them.

Make them count!

And remember.... the best moments are shared.

 

2 Corinthians 4:17  For our light and MOMENTary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be STILL, and know that I am God
Psalm 131:3  Israel, put your hope in the Lord both NOW and forevermore.
1 Thessalonians 3:8  For NOW we really live, standing firm in the Lord.
2 Peter 3:18  To him be glory both NOW and forever! Amen.
1 John 3:2  Dear friends, NOW we are children of God.