Beneath The Surface

To the world around us we appear happy. It can seem to others that everything is fine and dandy in our lives, but beneath the surface, hidden just out of sight, things are way different than most people think.

To the untrained eye the picture we see of others can look rather peaceful. Perhaps there is even a smile or an "I'm okay" that convinces us that things are fine, when in fact they are not.

Why do we try to hide our feelings from others? Are we embarrassed that someone might see us crying or "unstable" in some way? We always want to make a good impression, as if there's nothing wrong. Why do we do that?

Some of my deepest and most honest relationships are with people who have made themselves vulnerable, rather than put on a false face and lied about how they are feeling. The best relationships are honest ones - ones where there is trust, not deceit.

In our relationship with Jesus, are we being honest? Or do we try to pretend everything is alright? And how do we act in church? Do we try to smile despite the pain inside. Or do we open up and share our burdens with each other? What does God want us to do?

^"2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." - Galatians 6:2-3

It is easy to share the burdens of someone we love, but what about the unlovable? Is our desire to help THEM as strong as it should be?

There is a lot of tension in our nation right now. Either you're for Trump or you're against him. And that's okay. We all have our own opinions. But do we pray for those who oppose us and our beliefs?

"44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:44-48

May we be honest about our feelings. May we be transparent. May we not hide our pain for fear of being hurt or embarrassed. Rather, let us be vulnerable and give someone the opportunity to love us like Jesus loves us. In doing so we will be fulfilling God's law, spoken to us by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus humbled Himself. Why won't we?

Beneath The Surface - Dream Theater