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Two men biking side by side.

Who Knows You?

February 8, 2012 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

A terrifying question that my wife will ask me from time to time is this: “Who really knows you right now?”

It’s terrifying because the answer is often “Well, no one, really.” Why do we run from and avoid intimacy and vulnerability? As children, we put up defensive walls to protect ourselves from that which scares us or has the potential to harm us. But as adults, we tend to keep those walls up — especially in the Church, as there remains the stigma that “we must keep it together”.

Over the last years, it seems to me that there is an awakening, where people are beginning to acknowledge their limits and humanity, and step into a realistic and humble view of themselves. It’s not prevalent in all circles, but it seems to be growing in acceptance — it’s okay to be known. And we all want to be known and real, right? For most of us, we’ve spent too many years faking it and endured too many surface-level conversations. It’s time for a change.

So what’s the change in your life? If you were asked that question, “Who really knows you?”, what would your answer be?

Two men biking side by side.
Don't Go It Alone
If you’re walking through life alone, ask God to provide you a confidant. A Nathan (2 Samuel). “A friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Then take a risk and share something personal. A fear. A joy. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge what is really going on. I pray you will be pleasantly surprised on this new journey of knowing and being known.

PS- Those of you who are married may count your spouse as your only necessary confidant, and I encourage you to be authentic and communicate well with him/her, but there is something about rubbing shoulders and sharing with someone who is the same gender as you… guys just understand guys better, and likewise, ladies understand ladies (clearly, men don’t 😉 ).

Filed Under: Soul Care Tagged With: Authenticity, Emotional Discipline, Emotional Health, Friendship, Vulnerability

Notes & Scribbles Album Cover

Notes & Scribbles

February 7, 2012 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

Notes & Scribbles Album CoverWhen I was about 19, I recorded some songs on a little Tascam recorder I borrowed from my buddy. I really enjoyed writing, even though my insecurities (and reality) told me that this wasn’t going to be my long-term gig. Lately, I’ve been thinking that I’d love to share songs from time to time by posting them here. Here’s the downloads from “Notes & Scribbles” (2004). Don’t get your hopes up:

  1. Acoustic Contemplations
  2. Bury The Hatchet
  3. Dont Wake Me
  4. Reali-tee
  5. Psalm 27 – One Thing I Ask
  6. We Are The Blessed
  7. December Air
  8. Finisher Of Our Faith
  9. Wild Laughter

If you prefer to download all at once, click here.

Filed Under: Music Tagged With: Brian Michael Steck, Music, Notes & Scribbles, Songwriting

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero

Dark Night of the Soul

February 6, 2012 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
I’m currently reading Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero and he is describing the season that (I feel) my wife and I have been going through. It’s something I’ve heard of, but not known much about, and it’s called “the dark night of the soul”. He describes that there are times when we must go through pain and challenge, especially that which comes from a prolonged season of purposelessness and not hearing from God. In the end, the dark night of the soul is a refining period. But it’s really hard to see that in the midst of the pain, grief and loss.

He referred to Gerald Sittser from the book A Grace Disquised, reflecting on the loss of his mother, wife and young daughter in a horrific car accident like this:

The quickest way to reach the sun and the light of day is not to run west chasing after it, but to head east into the darkness until you finally reach the sunrise.

The idea that it is healthier (I daresay not easier) to confront our troubles, challenges, pain and loss head-on is unnatural, but this quote gives me hope and the fact that I’m not the only one to have experienced this season of the dark night, is oddly comforting.

Travel onward into darkness, my fellow pilgrim, and may the light of dawn meet you soon enough.

Filed Under: Discipleship Tagged With: Emotional Discipline, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Peter Scazzero

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