James 5:16

How are you? I wonder how you normally respond to that question. Probably, like most of us, you smile sweetly and summarise your life with the one word “Fine”. It’s a good word and if it’s true that’s wonderful. But, if we’re honest, it is sometimes the word we use to push people away. What we’re actually saying is, “It’s none of your business. Leave me alone. Hopefully if you think I’m fine you won’t bother me again.”

The reality is that we are not always fine. Sometimes we feel awful, and there are times when we know that we have failed miserably. James is encouraging his readers to be honest. We need to be real with one another and actually confess our sins and pray for each other so that we can find God’s healing.

I don’t believe that God is calling us to share absolutely every inner secret and sin with one another. But I do believe that churches need to be places of love and encouragement where we feel able to reveal the people that we really are. Often that will best be done with one other person or in a small group. I thank God for those people who have been totally honest with me over the years. It is such a privilege to pierce the masks that we so often wear and truly be ourselves. If we were to do that more often then I am sure that we would have a much greater experience of what it means to be truly fine.

Question
What could you do to help your church to become a more loving and honest community?

Prayer
Thank you Lord that your love for me is so complete that it is safe for me to be totally honest with you. Help me to be more open with my Christian brothers and sisters, and to be more loving and forgiving. Amen

Released on 13 Mar 2024