What's the Truth?

I have a new "best book". A friend loaned several to Larry and I, and of this latest, Larry kept telling me, "Linda, you're going to love this one..." and now I've finally got my teeth into it.

It's entitled, "Out of the Question, Into the Mystery", and I won't try to summarize, but rather let you wonder, and possibly look for the book for yourself. The author is Leonard Sweet, and he's offered some tantalizing (I'll skip the pun!) thoughts.

One thought that has stuck with me this week, is that there is no truth apart from relationship. A situation occurs: I think I understand exactly what transpired! I witnessed the TRUTH for myself! No excuses, no deception, I know what I saw! Then someone comes along and adds to the picture of what I witnessed, and suddenly the truth changes.

Example: I know a friend who has let go of the values he held for years. He was one of the most dependable people I knew. Why did he choose to go against not only his declared position, but also hurt the people closest to him? I know I can't answer that. I have ideas. I wonder if he came to the point where he wondered what really was truth, if the values he'd claimed where worth fighting for. I wonder if he'd ever really made them his own. I had a relationship with him in the past, and that makes me wonder about his current choices. I think he's a better man than his choices make him look.

I also think that relationship is the thing I can offer him now, grace and acceptance without flaying his personality or lifestyle, without questions or conditions. Man, all persons have freedom of choice, first under God, and then as American citizens -- as long as we don't infringe on the liberties of others. The vulnerability of relationship allows for hurt and disappointment, but the truth is only his to know or share.

I know many examples where someone has done something I don't understand. My first reaction is often irritation, but I catch myself and wonder. What is the truth behind the "obvious"?

I don't understand why God allows much of what happens in the world. I wonder if the "free will" idea and covers some or all of it. Many good things have come as a result of bad things. Wonderful opportunities have grown from terrible disappointments and disillusionment. (Larry and my meeting is a perfect example of that!) But why does the mechanic who works just as hard as Larry lose his job, and Larry still has work? Why does a friend's marriage seem unfixable, but my husband listen to my pleas, and we keep improving the blend?

The more I seek to "get into" God, the more I trust Him. I know He came up with all the original ideas of life, from the laws of nature and the mysteries of the human body to the complicated facets of interpersonal relationships. Still He somehow intertwined all these facets of Divine Intelligence with a gentleness, a firm order, a justice that always makes sense in hindsight. Man, hindsight is bitter before experiencing, sweet in the aftermath. God is good. Like it or not, He is. He's pleasant, refreshing, safe, sweet, sensible, and oh, so good.

I think I want truth, but I'm realizing how unready I am for it. I have to grow before I'm ready to accept it. It's so much bigger than my own personal grace is.

The truth is, I'm learning about truth, and daily getting to know the Source of Truth, Who is Truth Himself.

Ok, let's finish today, and get ready for tomorrow.