The Beauty of Being Honest: A Lesson From Italy

Italian countryside, Lydia Jayne Art

Earlier this morning I reminisced about crisp fall days 10 years ago. I had adventured to Italy, to study art in the land and culture where some of my favorite artists had created their masterpieces. It was a gift and a challenge. Only seven other students studied in that semester’s cohort. While we lived and created in a 14th century stone and marble monastery, we traveled around central Italy and marveled at its beauty and culture.

My prayers in that monastery as I painted, sketched and studied were young artist prayers. I have the daily journal entries to remind myself that my prayers seeking God’s help were sometimes selfish and definitely passionate. It is clear looking back I was lost about what being an artist meant (and if we are honest, many of us artists are still discovering this!).

As I think back, I realized that the thing I learned about the most, more than artistic techniques or Italian culture, was how to be honest with God. As John 8:23 says ‘then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” God wants us to face the truth about who we are, who he is and how we fit into his plan. Recognizing the truth sets us free and we are are free to be ourselves before him.

In those days, I told God how, despite “making it” to my dream city to study my dream craft, I felt inadequate, frustrated and lost. I poured my heart out. I did this in part because although I made friends (one who continues to encourage and inspires me - thanks Christine), my family and most of my friends were an ocean away in another time zone.

Whatever the reason though, God honored that honesty. He loves our honesty. Of course, God knows our hearts better than we do, but when we open our lives to Him, we grow in understanding not just ourselves better but who we are in relationship to God. By allowing God to level me, ie, by being open and honest with Him, He also showed me how faithful and loving He was with me. I treasure that time in Italy for so many reasons, but mostly I’m so thankful God turned my raw honesty into a more real passion for Him.

Question I’m thinking about and I invite you to share your thoughts on: When thinking about our relationships with God, in what areas could we be holding back from him? In what way would our honesty with Him help build the relationship?