“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
We live in a world of information. We virtually have access to any information we want. Want to know the answer to something? Google it! Just like magic, a plethora of answers pop up right before your eyes. But as you begin searching through those answers it becomes clear that things are not so clear. Because in the age of information, there are many different angles, perspectives, opinions and studies all supporting opposing views. It begins to become a bit confusing; suddenly, what seemed certain is now muddled and ambiguous. What’s a gal to do? How do we navigate such a conundrum? How do we find the answers we seek and feel confident that we have found what’s good, what’s pure, what’s noble and beautiful? How do we know we’re beautiful? How do we know we are worthy or valuable? How do we know who we are? Well, Sister, those answers won’t be found on Google.
I work in the mental health field, primarily with adolescents. It has become very apparent to me that in recent years there has been an assault on truth.
As absolute truth is degraded into “your” truth, suddenly everything is relative. What’s true for you can be true, and what’s true for me can be true. We are encouraged today to embrace “our” truth. That sounds great. It sounds peaceful, right? If we are all right then no one can be wrong. We can all be happy and love one another.
But what happens when my truth impedes on your truth, then what? What happens when I believe red means go and green means stop. That’s my truth. I believe it’s perfectly normal to blow through a red light at a four way stop. So when my vehicle slams into your loved one's vehicle at 55 mph - it will be their fault. They should have stopped.
Suddenly, the truth doesn’t seem so relative anymore. Truth is not and never can be relative. There are certain absolutes in this world, like it or not, we must face. The sanctity and survival of the human race depends on it. If we can’t agree on basic truths, then we can’t have a civilized conversation about anything, and if we can’t communicate with each other then we begin to dehumanize one another. We stop valuing people and they're hearts and who they are and what they bring to the table. We stop listening and we stop being challenged by each other. Even a wrong viewpoint can be heard and treated with decency and kindness; it can even be challenged with love and respect.
After all, I don’t believe we were called to force change on people. God has given every individual free will in which He Himself lovingly grants an individual the choice to reject Him. We were called to know His Truth and to build our lives on that truth so that we would shine like stars in the universe.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)
We are called to live out Truth so that His light shines through us and becomes a testimony of His great love. His love changes people. His love drives out darkness. His love cleanses and redeems. We are His vessels.
So, I guess we have to ask ourselves, are we letting our lights shine? Are we standing on His Truth? Do we know what His Truth is? Do we know how to defend it? The world is redefining much of what was once considered fundamental. From our sexuality to what defines life; these are answers that we as Christ followers must be prepared to give and defend in love.
The Bible is God’s word. It is our true north in today’s dark times.
Ladies, if we don’t know Scripture then how can we know the Truth, and if we don’t know Truth, how can we let our light shine?
Can we pull ourselves away from the busyness of today and apply ourselves to knowing Him deeply? For some of us that may mean unplugging from social media a little more. It may mean completely deleting a platform and spending that extra time studying His Word. It may mean ditching some media, music or entertainment that diminishes His light in us. It may mean a little sacrifice, but Scripture assures us His word does not return void. It works in us and through us and carries us through the darkest and most confusing of times. When we question our worth, or our purpose, His word confirms we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14) and His goodness lasts for generations (Psalms 100:5). When we feel scared and alone, His word promises He will never leave us or forsake us. He promises us adversity, but in that adversity He promises He will act in us and through us in order to fulfill His good purpose.
He promises life and life abundantly. He is good. He is pure. He is beautiful. He is holy. He is worthy. He is in you. All these things He gives to you and works in you and through you. You are so precious to Him. He gave His only Son to suffer and die for you so that He could offer you new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and that in your weakness His power would be made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).
There is a truth; it is Jesus. He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6).
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