The Last 10%

As I talked about on Sunday, we cannot grow as a follower of Jesus and remain isolated from others.

We ALL need to draw nearer to others in our life who will help us to draw nearer to Jesus. As we do so - we break through different barriers of vulnerability.

If we are intentional we quickly move past what I call the weather/sports mode (OK, probably be different subjects for some of you - but same idea) . . . where it's just all surface. And we begin to move into authenticity.

As we make these breaks into deeper authenticity there is a barrier that Bill Hybels calls: The Last 10%.

Have you ever gone away from a conversation thinking, 'Man, I wish I had just had the courage to say _____________!' That's the last 10%.

It refers to whatever it is that you're holding back in the conversation. What is it that you need to share but you're afraid to? It may be something we need to confess or an area where we need to ask for help. Or it may be that last 10% of encouragement or truth that we need to speak to the other person.

Paul spoke about the last 10%: "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephes. 4:15

The truth in love. I know. I've had people tell me that last 10%. The part that no one else had the courage to challenge me with.
When we share the last 10% we not only take our relationship to new levels --- but it also leads us into deeper places of knowing God!

Don't hold it back . . . Let go of the last 10%!

Relationship Vision & Honesty

Vision. As I talked about on Sunday, God says that the second most important matter on earth - after our relationship with Him - is our relationships with others.

And I see one issue, more than any other, that undermines the ability of our relationships to point others and us to God. And that is HONESTY. Honesty. I'm well aware there's some heat in this post but this is an issue that I'm passionate about and that I see killing so much of what God wants to do!

Just check out a few passages below - only a handful of the hundreds that deal with this:

Proverbs 14:5 - Not telling the truth makes us a liar

Proverbs 12:22 - God speaks plainly - He hates liars

Colossians 3:9 - When we lie to each other it has nothing to do with God, we're living out our sinful, selfish nature (also Jeremiah 9:4-6)

Proverbs 16:13 - When we tell the truth people around us respect us . . . Not only that . . .

Proverbs 24:26 - . . . People feel honored and encouraged when we speak honestly to them!

Proverbs 27:6 - Even when the discussion is difficult, there is blessing when we are honest!

Where did we get the notion that not being honest with people is compassionate or loving?? That's a LIE! It's called being a COWARD!

Now, I'm not talking about being rude or inconsiderate or just plowing over people. But being graciously honest.
And, not just walking away from a situation without telling someone why and without seeking to reconcile.
Or, just avoiding a situation because it's difficult.
Or, talking to others and spreading rumors as a tactical defense.

If we're going to live out God's vision for life-giving relationships we must be on the point of changing the way our culture deals with one another. We must seek honesty and sincerity!

"So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because we belong to each other." (Eph 4:25)