How are you? It’s a simple question and it’s asked countless times everyday. We ask our families, neighbours,
coworkers, classmates, and friends. We ask strangers on the street or waiting in line at the store. How many times have
you been asked that question this week?
When we ask this question, we aren’t usually looking for much of an answer. We use it as more of a greeting than a
conversation starter. Usually we expect the traditional, “fine, how are you?” response. We rarely go beyond that
response ourselves when asked by others.
Have you ever answered honestly? How did the person respond? What happened next? Has someone ever answered
you honestly? How did you respond? Were you glad you asked? Did you sit down and talk for a while? Or did you regret
opening this can of worms and worry that you were in for a 2-hour conversation when you had “important” things to
do?
In January of this year, Elmo (yes, the little red guy) asked on X, “How is everybody doing?” What happened next was
unexpected, as well as being very revealing about our current state of mind. Thousands of responses quickly flooded in!
Of course, there were some sarcastic answers, some comical, some dark. Most, though, showed us something about
ourselves. These responses turned a simple question into a news story.
Consider some of the responses to Elmo’s simple question. Someone referred to the abyss we stare into and the new
horrors each day brings. One person said that when they wake up everyday, they can’t wait to go back to sleep. One
person said that they were at their lowest. One replied “sorry but this is above Elmo’s pay grade”. People poured their
hearts out on social media to a puppet. They even thanked Elmo for asking. This made me wonder “does no one ask
them how they are?” Do they feel so unseen and unheard that this was their one chance to express themselves?
When I read that story, my mind went to two places in the Bible. The first is Mark 1:40-45. A man suffering with
leprosy approached Jesus, got on his knees, and begged Jesus to heal him. The response was amazing. Jesus looked at
him and was filled with compassion. Jesus reached out and touched him; then Jesus healed him. How long since this
man had been touched by anyone? People would run from him afraid of contracting his contagious and deadly disease.
Jesus healed his body that day but first He did something powerful for that man’s heart. He saw him, heard him, and
touched him. In that moment the man knew that he really did matter and that someone truly cared. The power of the
Saviour was on display that day, but so was His heart.
The second passage is Psalm 62:5-8. Here we listen to David at a time when he was very low. Everything and everyone
were piling up against him. He was at his lowest. He then reminds himself to find rest in God alone. He then calls others
to “trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” What a powerful invitation.
Come, pour out your heart to the Lord!
I have a challenge for you today. Ask someone this simple question but don’t just run off to the next thing. Wait for an
answer and engage with their response. Someone needs it and is waiting for you.
Then, answer this question honestly when someone directs it your way and see what happens. There may be more
people who care than you realize.
If you need someone to talk to or someone to pray with you, contact us here at Harrow Baptist Church (519) 738-
2275. It would be our privilege to meet you and connect with you. Finally, pour your heart out to God. He is there. He
cares for you. He is listening.
So, again, how are you?