I first heard about this song from a book someone wrote about writing and creating things (music, books, etc). He talked about how when he has gone on tour with Andy Gullahorn there is always this moment where he enjoys watching the audience as they get drawn into the song and then get sucker punched by where it lands.
It's funny, because I don't know that I get hit hard by where the song lands, I get hit by where the song starts. Because I know that is absolutely me!
Have you ever been so selfish
that you let your baby cry
While you finished up a video game?
I haven’t either
That’s pretty bad
Further, I know that I have been one of those people who isn't completely sincere on far far too many occasions. It's my goal to be honest. It's my goal to be real. But then you get into that one situation with that one group of people and... lies, performance, desire to look good - they take over.
Who am I kidding?
Who am I kidding?
I am just like them
No, I’m only kidding
Have you ever felt compelled to get a weight off of your chest
But can’t follow through because you are ashamed?
I’ve heard that you can tell the ones who truly open up
Their lives are marked with freedom and with peace
I don’t have either
No I haven’t either
A life marked with freedom and with peace. Jesus, help me to be open and honest. That I could have freedom and peace marking my life!
Have you ever been so selfish
that you let your baby cry
While you finished up a video game?
I haven’t either
That’s pretty bad
But have you ever stretched the truth
telling stories to your friends
So they’d be a little bit more amazed?
I haven’t either
I’d never do that
But there are some people out there
Who aren’t completely sincere
What they show in the daylight
Is not exactly what’s inside
It’s a form of protection
From being rejected
But you and I can be so glad
We are not like that
Have you ever made a promise
to yourself a thousand times
Just to break it over and over again?
I haven’t either
Only people with problems do that sort of thing
But have you been so full of doubt that you
just can’t pray to God
Because you wonder if He even exists?
I haven’t either
Who am I kidding?
Who am I kidding?
I am just like them
No, I’m only kidding
Have you ever felt compelled to get a weight off of your chest
But can’t follow through because you are ashamed?
I’ve heard that you can tell the ones who truly open up
Their lives are marked with freedom and with peace
This single sentence is probably the biggest tell that I am lying.
I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
Do you ever have days that you desperately want someone to ask you how you are doing - and then stick around for the gory messy answer that isn't just "I'm fine" (or it's twin sister: "I'm tired")? Do you have a person in your life who will listen to you when you say "I'm fine" and then call you out on your lies? That person is important. The person that will force you to be honest when you don't want to be.
Please don't take this as me giving every one of you permission to call me a liar if I say I am fine. I do have those people in my life. People who have earned that by walking with when I am not fine. And I think it is even healthy to have different levels of depth to friendships, levels of answers to the "how are you question" that are true - but provide levels of intimacy ("into-me-see") depending on the relationship you have. But the question is: who is that person to you? Who do you allow to see into you? Who do you choose to see into? Where do you invest in other people?
There’s a sign on the door saying “come as you are” but I doubt it
If we lived like it was true every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
What I am saying is that if we aren't honest with people we need to recognize a few things. That lack of honesty will prevent you from entering into real relationship with people. It also will affect the influence you have on others. If they think you have it all together all the time then they won't come to you when their ducks aren't even in the same pond let alone in a line...for the fourth week in a row. When you invite them to church with you, or into relationship with a loving God, they will think they aren't worthy...that they don't have it all together enough for those promises to be for them.
But the bigger issue here: if we're lying to God about how we're doing we are blocking Him out - making it so that He can't work in our lives. I am far more likely to call Him a liar when I won't accept His forgiveness or love than I am to let Him call me a liar when I tell Him I'm ok and I've got this.
Can I really stand here unashamed
And know that you love for me won’t change
Oh God If that’s really true
Then let the Truth Be Told
Let the truth be told. His love for you won't ever change.
Lie number 1 you’re supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you’re doing just smile and tell them “never better”
Lie number 2 everybody’s life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
Truth be told
The truth is rarely told
I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told
There’s a sign on the door saying “come as you are” but I doubt it
If we lived like it was true every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn’t you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick and the sinner and and sick and the scarred and the prodigal
Truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Am I the only one who says...
I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told
Can I really stand here unashamed
And know that you love for me won’t change
Oh God If that’s really true
Then let the Truth Be Told
Music by Matthew West performing Truth Be Told (Official Music Video). (C) 2020 Provident Label Group LLC, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
