The Just Be Honest SubStack
An Invitation To Liberation
Hello and welcome!
My name is Alexander James, and I’m a pastor, poet, teacher, and creative. My journey has been shaped by a passion for authenticity, the kind that digs deep, pulls us out of hiding, and brings freedom to our lives. I am so excited about kicking off this next step in my journey of equipping and generation of leaders with the tools to do something revolutionary - BE THEMSELVES.
Honesty is a choice -
Honesty is not a passive virtue. It’s something we must nurture, water, and cultivate. Living in our truth is a process, one that often feels uphill, lonely, and riddled with doubts. But here’s what I’ve learned: on the other side of that honesty lies freedom so profound, it’s hard to put into words.
When Jesus said, “Who the Son sets free is free indeed,” I believe he wasn’t just talking about freedom from systems of oppression or spiritual attacks. He was also speaking about freedom from the chains we place on ourselves—the lies we believe, the masks we wear, the burdens we carry trying to be who others think we should be.
We are so radically loved by a cosmic, sovereign, omnipotent God. His love gives us the courage to live authentically, unshackled by the weight of others’ opinions, free to pursue the life of liberation.
Revolution Requires…
Every great revolution has three key ingredients:
1. The Academy: Thinkers and philosophers who challenge the status quo and present new ideas.
2. The Assembly: Gathering spaces where people can wrestle with those ideas and ground them in daily life.
3. The Arts: Creatives who transform these ideas into music, poetry, and visual works that disarm, inspire challenge and transfom.
Revolution happens when these three elements work together. Mahalia Jackson sang before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke because she understood the power of art to soften hearts and bridge divides in ways that pure intellect or mass gatherings could not.
This Substack is my small contribution to that revolution. It’s a space for honesty, for reflection, and for building a community unafraid to question, wrestle, and celebrate what it means to live in the radical freedom of God’s love.
Let Liberation Begin
Let’s create a world where we no longer ask, “Can I be honest?” but instead just are. Together, we can walk the narrow road of authenticity and liberation, encouraging each other as we go.
Thank you for being here. Let’s nurture honesty, let’s water the truth, and let’s grow into the freedom God has called us to.
Welcome to the revolution. Welcome to the Narrow.
With courage and honesty,
Alexander James AKA BHonest
