Looking for truth?

Today’s Reading: John 16:13 (NIV)

13 [Jesus said,] “But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all Truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”

Good morning!

I had a dream last night. My father sent me to the train station to pick up a long, lost friend of his. Daddy had not seen her in years, and he wanted me to pick her out of the large crowd. She was to arrive on track number 8 at 11:57pm. I did not know what she looked like, how she would be dressed, or even her exact age. Daddy said I would recognize her when I saw her. It wasn’t much to go on; yet I went, out of pure obedience, trusting in his word.

I drove to the station alone, wondering how I might recognize a stranger I did not know. I scribbled her name on a large piece of cardboard with a black permanent ink marker I found in the bottom of my purse. When I walked into the station, I held the makeshift sign high above my head. I watched as the passengers disembarked from the three trains that had arrived simultaneously. I saw the crowd, and truthfully, their faces all looked alike. These were road weary travelers; the hour was late and folks just wanted to get to their final destination and rest. Mommies were carrying sleepy little ones in their arms who had fallen asleep on the train. Men were pulling brief cases behind them, with cell phones and blackberries glued to what could have been their free hand if they had been willing to let go of the control. People continued to pass me by; many glanced up and read my sign, but no one stopped. I stood there, gazing into each passing face, and wondering who thr mystery person would be.

I noticed the furrowed brows and puzzled looks of passengers as they passed by. “This is no joke,” I thought to myself. My Father said she would be here and I intend to find her, even if it takes all night. As the people began to disappear out the station door and into the dimly lit parking garage, I found myself standing there, all alone, with my cardboard sign raised high. It had felt like an exercise in futility. I was terribly disappointed, heart-broken and sad. A compassionate clerk from behind the ticket counter saw the look on my face and said, “Miss, who is it you are looking for?” “I don’t know,” I sighed. “She was a long lost friend of my Dad’s. Her name is Truth. Do you know her?”

How do we know the truth? Does your life board say, "I'm looking for truth! Do you know her?" I used to think that the truth was easily attained. As a parent, I could, at one time, look into the eyes of my young children and know instinctively whether or not they were telling me the truth. This is not as easy as it used to be. There seems to be a lot of gray matter sprinkled in between the large black letters imprinted on my pages of our lives. Are you struggling to know the truth today?

There was no doubt in the mind of Christ that each of us would need heavenly help to find and know the Truth. Jesus was there, in the flesh, standing right in front of them, and even His own disciples could not recognize the Truth for what it is. We needed some heavenly help from above, and that is why Jesus promised us His gift of the Holy Spirit. He would guide and direct us in all Truth, so that we could see, not just with our limited physical vision, but with Holy Spirit eyes. The Spirit will help us discern good from evil; right from wrong; the truth from a lie. With His help, we would know the Truth, and His Truth would one day set us free.

Don’t leave the station today without knowing the Truth. Jesus offers the free gift of His sweet Holy Spirit, so that you will not have to face this day alone. Are you seeking the Truth? You need not look any further than the Lord Jesus Christ. He is here, right in front of you, right now. Ask Him for the gift of His Holy Spirit today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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