Imagine what goes through the minds of the people you see on a daily basis about you. Perhaps, you are going through the list of the people you will engage this week — coworkers, spouses, children, friends, family, etc. Each relationship has an experience of you. Honestly, all of us have a mixed bag of positive and negative effects on other people.
We have more blind spots than we realize. To really experience the transformative growth of the Gospel in our lives, we have to be willing to hear the truth. Paul says this in Ephesians 4:22-24:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Paul speaks in the context in Ephesians 4:15 of this passage of “…speaking the truth in love.” The Gospel redefines our relationships not pitting love and truth against each other, but realizing this; you cannot love someone without telling them the truth, and you cannot be truthful without really loving someone.
To become all that Jesus has called us to be, we have to be willing to engage in the messy business of truth; for ourselves and those around us.
As you start this week, here’s one question to ask the people who matter most to you — What’s it like on the other side of me?
That’s not an easy question to ask, but one that builds trust in relationships. You may hear things that encourage you. You may hear other things that you will want to debate or argue. Don’t just ask anyone. Find one-three people who have your best interest.
Are you willing to find out the truth to experience Gospel-transformation? Identify 1-3 people you can ask — What’s it like on the other side of me? Listen to them. Ask God to open your life to the truth.
Photo by Alex Holyoake.