The Peace of Truth

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

                                                                                        —EPHESIANS 4:25 (MSG, A PARAPHRASE)

Don’t you love it when you open a gift on Christmas morning and think, oh you really, really shouldn’t have, but out of politeness and gratitude you say, “I love it!” Maybe we have learned to perfect the art of the half-truth. But perhaps our dishonesty to keep everyone comfortable has come at a steep cost. The cost of being known and of knowing one another. How many times have you answered “How are you?” with, “Great!” or “Fine!” or “Busy!” while, in fact, you know you’re barely holding it all together? Or actually could use a friend? Or you don’t want to come across as needy?

Maybe today, we can take a note out of Jesus’ book, instead. Jesus came to earth as a human, so that he could echo back our story. So that he could hear our prayers and say, “Same. I get it.” Jesus has loved and lost (John 11:1-44). Jesus has cried and been frustrated (Luke 19:41- 44). Jesus felt alone and forgotten (Matthew 27:46). Jesus wanted things to change and knew that they couldn’t (Luke 22:42, “Lord, take this cup”). Jesus understands the fragility of being human and didn’t try to hide it. He was honest with his friends about how he felt and what he was going through. Jesus’ prayers were honest and true.

Maybe peace starts with the courage to share the truth with someone and to hear them echoing back to you a clear and resounding “same,” or an “oh yeah, me too!” A peace in knowing we are never, ever alone.

READ THIS BLESSING
FROM THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE
for truth-telling–however bitter or sweet (p. 28)

Blessed are you, the truth-teller. And what a miracle it is when your
candor finds a chorus that echoes back: “Same.”
 

The friend who will hear it. The parent who will stomach it.
The partner who doesn’t roll their eyes.
They hear you, and it feels like a revelation.
Every. Time.

 REFLECT

1. What is your truth that you need to speak to someone today?

2. How can sharing your truth help release you from the isolation and loneliness that half-truths create?

3. What is like to have someone in your life who understands and has felt your truth in their own ways? What does it feel like to know that Jesus has experienced your reality as well?