What Is True?

In the newsletter, I opened by pondering what’s true about Labor Day. What do we know, and what is still up for debate? As I’ve gotten older, I find myself certain about fewer things.

Does age make us cynical? Not necessarily. Perhaps a better goal is caution. Before we put all our eggs into one basket, let’s be sure the basket can hold all our eggs!

A Wise Daddy

Some of us were born with a little more drama in our tank than others. We have one such theatrical individual in our household. She’s six, and growing up fast, but when her room is dark and shadows shift (even though there’s a night-light), her Daddy asks:

Charleigh Rae, what is true?

After some coaching, she’s learned these 3 simple truths:

1. I am safe.
2. I am loved.
3. And there is no reason to be scared.

This “truth dance” has been adapted to anytime life feels too hard for this six-year-old–going on sixteen.

Our Dark Room With Shadows

I live with a private Christian school administrator. The months of July and August were spent making some heart-rending decisions about how, when, and where to start school this fall. Did y’all realize even Christian parents get aggressive when they believe their children’s safety is on the line?

Haven’t we all listened the enemy’s  “smokey thoughts” that come straight from the pit of hell:

• You’re not important. You don’t matter to anyone.
• You’re not good enough or smart enough to ___________.
• If you don’t [enter temptation], you’ll fail/lose relationship/die.
• Your family/friends would be better off without you.

Jeremiah’s Dark Days

If there was ever a fella who deserved a pity-party, it was the prophet, Jeremiah. That poor guy was called to speak God’s truth at a young age–some think as young as 14 years old. No one listens to a 14 year old! And no one wanted to hear that Babylon would someday destroy the magnificent city of Jerusalem–especially when Assyria was still the ruling world empire.

How could it be true?

Jeremiah endured all sorts of hardship. He was a priest, persecuted by priests, prophets, and kings. The Lord even instructed him not to marry–for good reason. Jeremiah would one day witness the 3-year siege of Jerusalem. The death of its citizens by sword, starvation, and disease. And God wanted to spare him from witnessing his own wife and children’s demise.

In fact, he did witness all those awful things. Women ate their own children during the famine. If anyone needed to remind himself what was true, it was Jeremiah:

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’” Lamentations 3:21-24

Jeremiah’s Wise Father

Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations after his prophecies came true and Babylon destroyed Jerusalem by fire. The prophet mourned for God’s people and the city in which Yahweh’s presence dwelt for more than 500 years.

Yet amid his darkest days, the Holy Spirit prompted Jeremiah to record three things he was certain were true. Did you notice them?

1. God’s love and compassion are forever and NEVER end/fail.
2. Every morning brings new hope for God to show more faithfulness.
3. God is enough for me, so I’ll wait to see what He’ll provide.

Truth–and Other Weapons

We also at times find ourselves in dark times or frightened by scary shadows–even with a night light. But we’ve been given five pieces of armor with which to fight our enemy who tries to kill and destroy us.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:13-17 (emphasis added)

Our Heavenly Father’s Truth

So when the dark and shadows overwhelm, listen for our Father’s whisper.

“My beloved child, what is true?”

Then, like Jeremiah and my grand-daughter, take time to fashion at least three solid TRUTHS that are built on your personal walk with Jesus. What do you know to be true because He’s proven it to you–either through experience or in His Word?

Here are my 3 truths:

1. My God is good no matter what bad things happen. (Psalm 103)
2. My God never wastes my pain but uses it for good in my life and others. (Romans 8:28)
3. These hardships/fears are temporary and can’t compare with the joy that’s coming–in this life or eternity. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

These are all the so-called eggs I’m putting into ONE basket. Yes, I’m certain the basket will hold them, and I’m even counting them before they’re hatched.

I’m not sure of many things on this earth; but I’m absolutely convinced I have a faithful Father in heaven.

What are your 3 truths?