To Be Continued: Beyond the Surface

Let’s make this…personal.

As I worked on The Fallacy Sessions, the idea of releasing posts in loosely-tied-together series grew on me. I want to keep that going in 2025. However, I also want it to be more personal. And so my new “series”, To Be Continued, was born.

Its purpose is to open both of us up to a handful of topics and issues that aren’t always addressed in blog posts, mainly because there’s a lot of uncertainty and vulnerability tied to them. They’re also topics that haven’t yet been resolved (or maybe never will be on this side of eternity) – whether in my life or in the lives of others. Thus, To Be Continued…

From the Outside.

Let’s start by addressing two major things that occurred in my life this Fall. These are items most people aren’t aware of – because they’re rough things. We live in a world where we only want to show our best. I notice this all the time on social media, in YouTube videos, and in our lives as a whole.

But this isn’t how things should be. When we only tell others about the great things in our lives, we paint a false picture. We bottle up our struggles and never share them with the world. This leads to a culture where we only value how others look, instead of who they really are.

As God said in 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV), “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

From the Inside.

If I want to be honest in my writing and my life, I can’t only write about the really good stuff. It’s time I share the difficulties as well. My goal is not to make you feel sorry for me, rather, I want to spread awareness. I’m not the only one who had a difficult season. In a world that’s all about me me me, I pray we’ll look out for those in need.

As my amazing summer at camp came to a close, I got sick. I thought it was an average cold. And I wasn’t too concerned, as I’m rarely sick for long. But it persisted. Then it went away. Then it came back and left and came back and left and came back. Throughout August and September and October and November my health fought me off and on. I had minimal energy and motivation, and felt tired all the time. I ended up battling all kinds of things, from pneumonia to pink eye to anemia. It didn’t make for a great season.

As this was happening, I began a new job. What I was learning wasn’t simple, and the job was all about maintaining high energy, alertness, and focus. Three things I was rather short on because of my health.

As a result, I lost the job over Thanksgiving weekend. It was rough, watching it slip away in less than a month. I was reminded of Wesley’s quote from The Princess Bride, “Life is pain. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

While all this was going on, there were also some significant family struggles that we were dealing with. I won’t get into the details of that right now, but that hasn’t been easy either. Here’s what I’m trying to say: no one is as put together as they look from the outside. I’m sure you can relate. Everyone has challenges. Everyone is flawed. Yet the world wants us to ignore and hide those faults.

I have two solutions. One for those of us who are struggling, and the other for those of us who are trying to help.

From the Inside Looking Out.

As we go through difficult seasons, various thoughts come to mind. When I looked at myself, all I could see were the faults, the imperfections. Everything around you is falling apart, and yet no one seems to notice. Everyone is dealing with their own challenges. Yet all you want is for someone to care about you.

As I look back, I’ve realized an important truth. We don’t have to be perfect. If everything in my life went according to plan, it would be boring. Not only that, but I wouldn’t have these stories of God’s faithfulness. Our challenges help make us who we are; our response to imperfection shapes our character. Will we stay loyal to God or turn to our own plans?

From the Outside Looking In.

My experience this Fall has taught me to look out for others. I know we all have stuff that we’re dealing with. But please, look out for others, especially those who seem like they need a friend. We don’t know what they’re going through, and we don’t know how far a simple act of love will go.

When we hurt, we want nothing more than for someone to care about us. As the Golden Rule says, do to them what you would want them to do to you. As Matthew 25:40 declares, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” I want to make an intentional effort to look out for those who are facing challenges.

The Point.

What I went through wasn’t easy. What you’re going through isn’t easy. But we can’t survive by putting on a mask and pretending everything is perfect. It’s not.

Instead, what if we choose to be truly honest with a few trusted people in our life? People won’t know you need help if you’re not willing to be open and share what you’re going through. And what if we also spread the love of Christ by looking out for those who are struggling? It’s in the hardest times that people are most often open to the Gospel.

And remember, if we didn’t have flaws, God would have no reason to save us. It was because of our faults that He sent His Son down to earth. Even Jesus has nail wounds in His hands. Please don’t let hardship get you down. Because if God can make the night turn to day (like He did for me), He can make your darkest season turn to light.

As the psalmist David said in chapter 23:4 (NIV)…

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.