We have all had that song speak to our hearts and it becomes personal.

Over the years, I’ve heard songs from Tenth Avenue North, TobyMac, the Eagles, Casting Crowns and more, who had lyrics that made me think the song was written just for me.  I’ve heard songs that seemingly speak to men or women or a tribe of people or anyone and everyone.

Matthew West has a newer song out, entitled Truth Be Told.  I want to start speaking to what hits me, but let’s drop the lyrics first.

Lie number one you’re supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you’re doing
Just smile and tell them, “Never better”

Lie number 2 everybody’s life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, now

I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told

There’s a sign on the door, says, “Come as you are” but I doubt it
‘Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn’t you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals
Like me

Well truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Oh am I the only one who says

I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told

Can I really stand here unashamed
Knowin’ that you love for me won’t change?
Oh God if that’s really true
Then let the truth be told

I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
Yeah I know

There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told

I bet if I could speak to each of you right now and ask if those words leapt out and went splat on your heart, I’m guessing we’d get a resounding yes. This is likely not a song that we think so-and-so needs to hear it. We know we need this message for ourselves.A few words really strike my heart:

• broken
• hard
• honest
• true/truth

Again, I’m confident I’m not alone.

Why?

* I’m broken and so are you. Why do we try to deny it? When we admit it, to ourselves (difficult), to God (very difficult), to others (extremely difficult), freedom flows.

God can powerfully meet us there.

* Life is hard. Any role you own, hard. For me, following Jesus is hard. Marriage is hard, parenting is hard. Being a friend is hard, running a ministry that CONNECTS MEN TO MEN AND MEN TO GOD is hard. I can’t do any of these vital things alone. I need a good, loving Father God and I need others to walk with me.

* Why do we have trouble being honest with self and others? Image management seems to run rampant. We live in a time when I think self-awareness is lacking big time. We don’t know ourselves well at all. We need folks speaking life into us. It doesn’t stop there, it goes to the next…

* We need truth. I believe in absolute truth and get that from a biblical worldview, because if there isn’t absolute truth, then everything goes. Anything and everything is fair game. Oftentimes, we don’t live what we know to be true. We can sway like the wind and the world wants to mold us in its image. I need the truth about God, about me, and His perspective and vantage point on all things. Jesus and the Word of God needs to be my compass.

I want to be a movement and think I’m seeing the fruits of this, who believe the reality and impact of this song. It’ll take counter cultural thinking. But if we can live and move among each other, understanding we are broken (me and you), life is

I want to be a part of a movement that understand the reality and impact of West’s song. I think we see the fruits of where this happens within the Gathering of the Miami Valley as intentional relationships are held high. An affirming culture is the only way to go. Commitment to teachability and lifelong learning is another great ingredient.  We need to be OK in each others’ brokenness, realizing life is We have all had that song speak to our hearts and it becomes personal.

I see where many men tied to The Gathering of the Miami Valley are tasting the fruit of living this counter culture message, West sings about here. As intentional relationships marinade in the reality and impact of we are all broken people. Life is hard both for me and you. We need that affirming culture. A commitment to living this together and pledging allegiance to lifelong learning personally and in community, will accelerate this renaissance. Being self-aware and honest (with self, God and one another), knowing the truth will set us free, we will have something.

Something people need and something that will change the world!

(See West’s video here of Truth Be Told: https://youtu.be/j4wYkS8Z3Io)