Truth in Love
Feeling tired, I slept in a few extra minutes this morning, setting me a little behind schedule. It’s not that I needed to be anywhere, but if I don’t shower and dress before the peeps are up, showering may never happen. Therefore, I try my best to keep to the routine. Despite this delay, I sat down with the intention of taking just a few minutes to thank the Giver of my new day.
Already I could hear the stir of life coming from the bedrooms, yet I settled on the sofa and looked out to the morning sky and smiled. My prayers were hurried, but before I stood again I paused to listen for God to speak. I hadn’t asked for a word, though plainly heard the whisper, “truth”. I smiled again, “truth…great word”, although I had no idea what was behind it.
The day took off after that, and I ended up far busier than I had planned. Hours later when I found myself in a unpleasant family conversation, I had forgotten my word, yet from the heart I offered a painful and uncomfortable truth that left me feeling a little disheartened and questioning if I had been too harsh in my honesty. It wasn’t until I related the situation to another and they responded, “well sometimes being truthful is the kindest thing you can do”, then I remembered God’s word and it all came together. “Wow!!”
God is truth. There is no dishonesty in him, and I believe God will often call us to share a truth that others may not want to hear. It’s not an excuse to be cruel, but rather a reason to be bold.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15 NIV
It is only through truth that we can be set free (John 8:32) and truly mature in our faith, and we should know that God will at times lead us into uncomfortable situations to help other believers grow in their walk. It may not be pleasant for either party, though we are promised when we are called to such a task, we never go it alone. Jesus says he is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Therefore we have no need to fear and can speak courageously in his love.