Honest to God – and Others

Written by Jack Hager

The most-often voiced complaint regarding my teaching/preaching/writing style (that I actually hear as opposed to behind my back) is “Jack, you are too transparent.”

To which I reply, “Huh?”

What is the goal of non-transparency?

I shouldn’t be, but I am kinda proud of that criticism. I believe in this context ‘transparent’ is synonomous with ‘honest’ or ‘real.’

A few years ago I spoke at a Family Camp in New York. About a quarter of the audience were pastors (lucky me). One evening I shared a personal story/concern regarding one of my family members. I sensed in the audience many were very uncomfortable as I spoke.

After I concluded I was pretty much yelled at by a half dozen pastors who, yes, accused me of being ‘too transparent.’

By God’s grace I took it and they moved on.

I then spent over two hours talking with mostly couples who had a family member in the exact same situation. I hope something I shared was of help and remain thankful that I had the opportunity to pray with and for these people.

Several of them said “we thought we were the only ones…”

The Word states, “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.” This does not mean physical healing, but, in my mind, emotional healing.

Why aren’t we more honest (transparent) with one another? Pride? Fear of condemnation? Embarrassment?

Oh, how I dislike ‘silent/unspoken prayer requests.’

First, how can I pray for a question mark? Second, why can’t the requester be specific? For the same reasons – pride, fear, emarassment?

Let’s be real. Let’s be honest. Yes, let’s be transparent.

Anything else is lying.