Information is not truth. Do not be confused. The two are
not interchangeable.
A bunch of information cobbled together does not make truth,
but it can lead us there. It can point the way. But we have to go.
Knowing where to find the truth is nothing. It does nothing.
It gets us nowhere. Truth takes action. We actually have to go there. All in.
All of the way.
Truth is a place. A complete state all its own. And once we go there, there’s no going back to exactly where we were before. Ever.
But just because we made it there, doesn’t mean we’ll stay.
The truth has consequences. It always does. It is truth and consequences. Despite what people
may try to tell us, there is no “or” about it.
Once we reach the truth. Someone will come after us. There’s
no avoiding it. They always do.
No matter what it is. Denying what we claim. Shouting us
down. Discrediting us. Sabotaging us. Outright lying about us. Assassinating our
character. And in some cases, they will even, literally, assassinate us. All in
an attempt to keep the falsehood afloat.
Because although the truth is a good place, it is not a safe
place.
So, often we are tempted to seek shelter in a little white lie.
Sometimes to save feelings, but most often to save ourselves. And if we are not
careful, because that shade is always shifting, eventually not providing the coverage
we initially sought, we can roll right through dishonesty to the cool cover of
outright deceit where venomous and vengeful dangers lurk in the darkness.
Hiding from the truth as well. Concealed in the corners of that cavernous cover.
And as we recede into those alcoves, hiding further from the light, they are
there, unseen, waiting to strike. And in some cases, eat us alive. Still ending
in death. A death with no purpose. Unseen in the shadows. Wasted and worthless.
Food to feed the falsehoods and embolden and enable the benefactors of these
dark deceits.
And there is always a benefactor. Someone who benefits from
the lie. And we have all benefited from a lie. Let us not fool ourselves that we haven’t, because then we’re just lying to ourselves. And who benefits from
that?
The truth is also not easy and it is often uncomfortable. So
thoroughly consider what you are leaving behind before going there. Sometimes
it is very little. But sometimes it’s a lot. But go. Seek out truth. Because a
moment in truth is better than a thousand lifetimes in fear.
But to find truth, we must first know what we are looking
for. And there are no shortcuts. We must not be fooled. Truth seekers can be
detoured. Reasoned with reasons that are not at all reasonable, taking us down
trails far away from the falsehood, but nowhere near the truth. Lost and
wandering and wondering how on earth we got where we are. So turned around we
are unable to find up from down. In from out. Even right from wrong.
And when we find ourselves lost, we must go back to a very
basic place. Taking the tiniest steps in our discernment until there can be no
doubt the direction in which we are headed. Pointing ourselves in those tiniest
of movements toward good. Not engaging anything that is off track or leads away
from the truth to which we are headed.
Truth and gossip are not the same thing. We all have things
we are ashamed of. But…
If it is exploiting someone. If it is abusing someone. If it
is stealing from someone. If it is about to draw someone into danger…it is no
longer gossip and must be told. And the perpetrator will not like it. The
people around the perpetrator will not like it. The enablers will not like it.
Even the people who may have been fooled will not like it. But speak it anyway.
Go there. Stand in the light. If only for a moment. Be there.
Feelings will be hurt. But feelings are not truth. They are
personal. And the truth is never personal. There is no such thing as a “personal
truth.” There is only perception.
Do not be confused on your way to the truth:
Kind and nice are not the same thing. And only one of them
leads to truth.
Peace and pretending all is well are not the same thing. And
only one of them leads to truth.
Patience and avoidance are not the same thing. And only one
of them leads to truth.
Generosity and buying others admiration, appreciation,
silence, or compliance are not the same thing. And only one of them leads to truth.
Faithfulness and blind loyalty are not the same thing. And only
one of them leads to truth.
Gentleness and cowardice are not the same thing. And only
one of them leads to truth.
Joy and perpetual happiness are not the same thing. And only
one of them leads to truth.
Self-control and denial are not the same thing. And only one
of them leads to truth.
Loving and liking are not the same thing. And only one of
them leads to truth.
Justice and punishment are not the same thing. And only one
of them leads to truth.
And once we have arrived at the truth. Once the lies, deceit,
hurt, abuse, theft, exploitation, misuse of time or resources, and all other
manner of wrongdoing is uncovered. Exposed to bring others to the truth as
well…FIX IT. MAKE IT RIGHT.
Otherwise, we were not seeking the truth at all. We were out
for revenge. Seeking to shame. To humiliate. To be right. To show them. To
knock them down. Or if nothing else to triumphantly tout, “I told you so.” And we find ourselves out of the light before
it has even shone on our faces. Sitting in darkness with suspect motives
starting all over again. Lost and given over to our lust for self-satisfaction.
The truth is not self-serving. It is not selfish. But it is self-examining.
When we arrive at the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth, we are forced to face ourselves and our own failings if we have
any plans to stay there. To take up residence in its radiance.
Asking ourselves questions that start with “am I” so that we
may find solid answers in “I am.”
Am I…saying what I mean and meaning what I say?
Am I…doing what I am supposed to be doing?
Am I…seeking and promoting truth in every area of my life?
And when the answers fall short of “I am,” which they will,
more often than not…
Asking ourselves one more question. One that will set us
back on the path to truth:
Am I…doing all I can to fix it? To make it right?
No comments:
Post a Comment