The Importance of Being Real

We just did a series entitled SHOUT on Wednesday nights and it's all about sharing your faith, the essence of what we're all about. Many times during teachings, we use stories or examples of different things to reference what we're trying to get across but this time, we just laid it on the line. We confessed shortcomings and hypocrisies when it comes to sharing our faith with those around us. In short, shared our faith. Since then, I had a young lady approach me saying she didn't want to be a hypocrite any more. As we got to talking about that and what brought her to that point she begin to share how she felt alone in this and that she was the only one having struggles. When she realized there were others that felt the way she did, she became able to share that and overcome. Had we given any other story that night or any other example, she may have not realized the importance of God's grace and love. When we fall, we must confess and make things right. When we hurt others, we must ask their forgiveness. In our shortcomings, God is glorified by His amazing grace, but we must realize that it is all about Him and nothing about us...and then live that out.