“To be honest…..” Don’t you just hate it when someone starts a statement like that? Does that mean that everything they have said prior to “to be honest,” is not honest? I don’t get it. Why not just say what you’re going to say and leave it at that? When did that disclaimer become popular? Can you imagine your Grandparents saying that? I don’t think so. Evidently truth telling has become so scarce that there is even a new TV show called “The moment of Truth.” The contestant can win up to $500,000 not for solving puzzles or picking briefcases….but for simply telling the truth. See what we get for taking down the 10 commandments?!? Pretty sure #9 is clear on that!

On the same network that is rewarding people for telling the truth is another show that exposes people who have never faced that same truth: American Idol. I will admit it….I love that show. Every week another fresh batch of deceived divas and confused crooners are paraded on stage to face the harsh reality that….they stink! No doubt some of the contestants are there for their 15 minutes of fame, but many of them actually think they can sing. Who told them they can sing? Good question. The better question is: Why didn’t someone tell them they can’t? Now don’t get me wrong, I am not trying to steal anyone’s dream but c’mon, if the only person telling you you’re good at something is your Mom….you probably aren’t. So why do we avoid the truth? Because it hurts. Don’t believe me? Pull out your driver’s license. Just do it. What does your height and weight say? That’s what I thought. The last time I went to renew my license the person at the counter actually laughed when they looked at my vitals. The only thing true on it was that I had blue eyes! I haven’t weighed what my license says since my Freshman years of college….yes, I said years. How about your alarm clock? I will bet some of you have it set approx 27 minutes ahead. How do I know that you ask? Because that way you can hit the snooze button 3 times at intervals of 9 minutes, hence 27 minutes of extra sleep. Sad, isn’t it? One last truth test: Men, if a gust of wind strikes fear into the depths of your soul, then you are probably sporting a “comb-over.” I am going to help you with two words you need to hear…..you’re bald!

Just last week I was confronted with truth I didn’t want to face. Recently my family joined the YMCA. For years I have been consistently inconsistent with my workouts, but at the Y they offered something my life had been missing for over a decade: Basketball. Back in the day I was known for my jump shot. It was lethal! It still is. Only now it’s lethal for my team, not the opponent. It got so bad that the guy guarding me was actually encouraging me to shoot. I was appalled! The low point came when I had a wide open lay up…to win the game….and my momentum carried me so far under the goal that the ball almost decapitated me as it bounced off the bottom of the rim!! Not good. It gets worse. When it came time to choose teams for the next game it came down to me and another guy to be the last player chosen. I really can’t call him a “guy” because he was approximately 12. Yep, they picked the kid. As I limped back to my car, which I’m sure is nicer than his, (yes, I’m bitter) I had to come to grips with the truth. I am not the teenager who used to rule the court anymore….I am the guy that teenager used to beat. The apostle John said it best: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”III John vs.4 Truth is not just something we need to tell, it is something we need to live.

Have a great week!
Jason Peacock