The Truth of God Is ...

The words that we speak mean something. And, when we speak God's words, they are the ultimate form of human expression. Psalm 119:105 reads, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (NRSV) God's word is a spiritual lamplight to both illuminate your present path so you will not stumble and fall, and to show you where you are going to avoid any danger that may be hidden in the darkness surrounding you.

The word of God guides and protects our spirits and minds, and those of others who listen when God speaks through us. If we submit ourselves to be used by God to speak the Way, the Truth, and the Life, as we all are called to do, we have a great responsibility placed on us: to stay true to that calling to speak as God leads us to, with whomever we speak and wherever we go, without exception.

Even as we engage in casual conversation there is often a word from God that is waiting to shine through in those situations if we are attentive to it and do not give in to our fear of offending somebody when we speak God's word, also known as the Truth. When we understand the meaning of speaking Truth, we will then become acquainted with the barriers that we will have to overcome to remain true to our calling to speak God's word no matter where, when, or to whom we are talking.

Our Bible reading for this Sunday from Luke 4:21-30, gives an account of what Jesus was faced with when he returned to his hometown of Nazareth. When Jesus went back to Nazareth he knew he would speak God's word to the people who once saw him as a child and watched him grow up to eventually fulfill his calling to public ministry as he traveled to several towns around Nazareth. Jesus' hometown people were eager to hear what he had to say and to see how he would act as God's spokesperson. They wanted to find out if the reports that they had heard about Jesus were true. He was Joseph and Mary's son who left Nazareth and became well known around the region of Galilee. He spoke the Truth to his hometown people. I ask that you read the passage and find out what Jesus said to his fellow Nazarenes and how they reacted to the Truth he spoke.

Pray then about what God is calling you to say to the people of Downers Grove, or to the people of the other towns and cities that you live in who know you better than anyone else living there. And answer this question: Am I willing to speak God's word, the Truth, to those who know my faults and failures, as well as I, know theirs?