The Truth Will Eventually Escape

These are times when truth is more likely to be viewed as a nice idea rather than a prompting to take action. Truth and integrity are so often abused, and get used like an advertising slogan designed to win favorability. We say we value honesty and transparency, but there is so much scheming taking place to keep the truth hidden, watered down, and locked away from ourselves or from others. That is because the truth is like antidote to the poison of control. Lies are the last, best chance for people who want to manipulate the public’s perception of their selves and their plans. But is that sustainable? Will ritual dishonesty prevail?

Lies persist because they are an ally of selfishness and desperation. Lies are successful (and gain rapid momentum) in a climate of anger and fear because angry and fearful people are far more likely to buy and sell propaganda. Such folks would rather accept a simple though absurd answer rather than a complex or uncomfortable truth. Those who are rooted in anger and fear cannot also be rooted in love.  Those who love themselves first will fight the truth because it’s an obstacle to their desires and allegiances. It’s no wonder Mark Twain once said “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”

But the truth is untamed and beautiful. It brings out the best in those who are waiting to receive it; in these instances it will define and develop personal character. The truth is often uncomfortable and can also require great sacrifice from people who are willing to act once previously hidden facts emerge into the light.  Fortunately, there will be stamina for those who do. As the book of Proverbs says “the man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”

I believe that God leads us to truth. Sometimes that may be about our own deficiencies and need for reconciliation in Him, but other times the truths are more immediately positive blessings, handed down to us at the proper time. Once in awhile, the truth is an unveiling of a horrible reality about other people we love who are in need of rescue (or those we don’t know but still have the ability to help). However it happens, God is in the business of revealing truth. If we love God, we should pray for Him to cultivate hearts and minds that can receive the truth, and ask for the strength to act accordingly when it finds us.

The truth is durable, while a lie needs a growing network of increasingly elaborate falsehoods just to keep it from crumbling. A single truth, however isolated, stuffed away in the dark, and kept secret- will not die.  The truth escapes eventually, because it is stronger than lies and ignorance. If it can reach people who care enough to act, even if that is just one person, then things are going to change.