Does Truth Matter Anymore?

I was thinking this morning about persecution. From the very beginnings of the Christian faith, persecution has been present, and Christ followers have given their lives for His namesake; there is even mention in the Bible of a complete number of martyrs that must be reached before Jesus returns (Revelation 6:10).
I have heard it said that what the church in America really needs is some persecution; that would really wake us and shake us and expose the "true believers" from the false ones.
Now, to an extent I agree with that statement; I think that there is much of America –inside and outside the church –that has never known levels of pain and discomfort that are daily realities for most of the people on this planet. Perhaps experiencing pain, experiencing famine would really be good for us because it teaches us to depend on God for our provision and sustenance. I also believe that ultimately the Truth of the Gospel is worth fighting for and worth dying for, and that if you call yourself a follower of Jesus, it ultimately will cost you your life (Matthew 10:39). It would serve many of us well to remember that we serve a God who promises us rest and security in heaven; we are not guaranteed a pain-free, totally comfortable existence this side of heaven. Many of us, including myself, if we are not careful can begin to drift into believing that to be a Christian is to be safe, comfortable, healthy and financially secure. I'm pretty sure that isn't the case.
I don't think that we ought to be flippant as we talk about persecution. It's a reality in much of the Christian world and if God chooses to allow violent persecution to come to this nation, that's His decision; it shouldn't be taken lightly in either case.

But consider something: many of the founding fathers of the faith gave their lives in the defense of doctrines or truths that were opposed by the powerful majority (either the church at large or the government etc.). But today, many of these truths are now considered to be optional/opinions, and it doesn't seem to matter very much to anyone who believes them; people can pretty much believe whatever they want.
Is this right? Is anything that a person believes true? Absolutely not, but aren't we seeing this played out in front of us every day?
It seems that the definition for truth in our day is sincerity, not an objective standard; if someone is sincere in their belief, can you really say they're wrong? (Uh, yes.)
The homosexual person is sincere in believing that marriage is good and right for them; abortion clinic bombers are sincere in believing they are doing God a favor; Hitler sincerely believed that the Arian race was the highest specimen of humanity. Sincerity cannot equal truth.

It is clear that all beliefs cannot be equal, but the philosophy of the modern world says that you have the right to believe whatever you want; so would you ever get persecuted for your personal belief? The problem lies not in believing what I believe, but in my saying that what you believe isn't true; everyone wants the truth to be subjective, and why wouldn't you? If I decide what's truth, I get to make the rules. Who doesn't like to be in charge?

But the question for me is where do I draw the line? I understand that not everyone thinks the Bible is true, that not everyone is convinced that God is real and that we should follow Him. The Bible says that we are enemies of God in our natural state (Romans 5:10) so how can I blame someone who believes that they are God and can make their own rules?
It's not like I want to go out looking for persecution, that is foolishness; but it isn't like it doesn't matter what people believe, because it does. Belief in Jesus is Salvation (Romans 10:9); following Him is the best life possible on this earth (John 10:10); it matters to God that people hear the Truth and are saved by it (2 Peter 3:9). I want what God wants, that the eyes of the lost would be opened to see Him for who He really is. How do you get people to see that by telling them they're wrong?

I think that Jesus' example is a good thing to look to (Ya think?). Jesus led with love before He laid down the law; as my pastor says, Jesus led with Compassion, and then gave Clarity. Telling someone they're wrong isn't going to get them to want to listen to what you have to say; laying down your life for them, maybe literally, maybe not, but giving your time, money and effort to serve their good? That might just open the heart of those that need to hear the Truth.

So, as I am reminded myself, remember that the Truth still matters, even in a day that says it doesn't. People need to know that God is a God of power and, perhaps more importantly, that God is full of unconditional steadfast love (Psalm 62:11-12).

Something about Love...

Perhaps we're commanded to love precisely because we're so terrible at it; or maybe I'm the only one. There are certain things in life that tell you that you are not perfect, that you are actually really messed up, and that you need to be ok with it.
I'm convinced that one of the greatest examples of this is human relationships. I think that most people can see my shortcomings (although I don't really act like it or remember that it's true) and are fine with them; so why is it so hard for me to catch up?
I'm not sure what it is, call it something in my brain or something from my past, but I've got a certain instinct in my head that tells me to search for reasons to quit everything. It's like a have a quitters radar. Anyone with me on that? Well, as most of us have come to realize, any adult human being has to endure things that are difficult and press through those seasons which scream at you with all deliberate urgency to GET OUT NOW, WHILE YOU STILL CAN!

But here's the bottom line: Nobody's perfect (Sorry Jonathan, not in this lifetime). And even if I see something desirable that I hope to build my life around, what makes me think that it will happen instantaneously? Life and growth happen through a process, and God is really good at sanding down the rough edges and making us into the people He wants us to be; not on our timing but His. When something is hard, it doesn't mean that it isn't good for you, or that it isn't what God wants. On the contrary, it may be the best thing that ever happened to you. The problem (for me) comes when I start to kick and scream and wonder why I'm responding to the situation with high degrees of immaturity, and not the patient maturity that I wanted; the answer is of course that this is part of the way that God is building that maturity in me, and the sooner I realize what He's up to, the better off I'll be. If I can just accept the fact that I'm not all grown up yet and that my Heavenly Father (and most of my brothers and sisters who know me at all) can clearly see that, I'll be much happier.

Tough doesn't mean quit; quitting is an excuse to stay immature. May God give us all the strength to press in and press on into all that He has for us.

"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,^c]"> ¹²^AE)"> to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,^d]"> to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ¹⁴so that we may no longer be children,^AK)"> tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in^AL)"> deceitful schemes. ¹⁵Rather,^AM)"> speaking the truth in love, we are to^AN)"> grow up in every way into him who is^AO)"> the head, into Christ, ¹⁶^AP)"> from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Ephesians 4:11-16

Never leave your heart behind

Well, I can't say I didn't try...It's late and I really should be going to bed; aw, just one little post! Ok, ok, you got me.
Recently I've come into a season where I feel really revived, like the important things in my life are getting my attention. I don't really know what happened before, or what caused me to stop letting my heart be free, but I know that it feels really good to get oxygen to the heart again and let it live.
I had some people ask me the dreaded "what's your major?" question the other day; which of course was followed by my response (I guess it doesn't matter how I respond to it, they all react the same when they hear I'm an English major) and the standard "Oh...that's interesting. What do you want to do with that?" And again, it really doesn't matter what I answer, they are clearly saying that they don't think I can be a serious person and study something that isn't business or medicine. Yuck.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't care how much criticism I get or how many people tell me it's a bad decision, I WILL NOT sell out and study finance or something terrible like that. Don't people realize there is more to life than corporations? If you were to ask me to choose between being Donald Trump's assistant and being an author who lives on 1/4 of his salary, there would be no hesitation at all. I won't sell out to what people say is important.

Life is important, and life is not making six figures or driving a lexus; life is taking the time to enjoy a painting, or a walk with your sister, or to know what motor oil smells like. Life is being able to sit for hours just imagining what it would be like to live in the old west in the pioneer days; life is telling your kids what it was like out there.
I just get aggravated when it seems so many people fail to see the simple, beautiful things that make life so special. Maybe it's just me; in fact, it probably is. But I am a man who has to live from the heart and I'm going to fight for that. I won't apologize either.
But even though the frustration is, well...frustrating, it makes it so much sweeter when you find a heart that beats like yours. When I meet people who are more interested in beauty than money, and want to know God with all of their heart and soul, it makes me feel alive and it feels nice to breathe and talk with other living people.
I guess I'm still figuring out how to live from the heart; I know that I don't ever want to get away from it. It seems to be a common story in our time though, the tale of the 50-year old man who once wanted to be a writer but gave it up to pursue his career; because he listened to the mocking voices around him. A huge part of your heart becomes like the west wing of an old mansion, boarded up and forgotten, never visited and never used. I don't want that to ever happen to me.
It's a hard battle to fight, but it's worth it. So many important things are worth fighting for; I pray we all have the courage to defend them.

Deep within there is a chamber
Large and spacious, filled with beauty
Wells and fountains pour forth colors
Of every shade that show us what it means to live.
Do not despise the flowing river
Though its hues are wild and tameless
Do not for fear of drowning
Die of thirst alone and dry in pale tones of black and white.

Pain, Art, and Worship

C.S. Lewis said that pain is “God’s megaphone” for getting our attention and for getting through to us. There is nothing that will expose the absolutes in life – especially the absolute core of a person –more than pain. Someone being tortured will not pretend or goof around; what they believe and what they are made of will be immediately exposed when faced with physical pain and torment. The same is true of psychological and emotional pain. There is no pretending in pain; there is no hiding the truth; pain is real and refuses to be ignored.

Pain is also something we run from. As humans, it seems to be built into our DNA to run towards comfort. We avoid situations that make us uncomfortable and we go to great lengths to ensure our maximum comfort and well-being. And yet pain still confronts us because it cannot be avoided; no matter how much we try to pursue comfort we will inevitably face pain. What happens to all of our efforts at that moment? They become a mere puff of air. I would say we do not know what we lose through our obsession with comfort and aversion to pain. Maybe an example would be helpful. If you picture life as the keel of a ship cutting through the ocean waters, you could say that the water to the right of the keel represents pain, while the water to the left represents joy. Life to the fullest (abundant life) is found at the vanguard (the very front of the keel where it slices the water). To the degree that we seek to withdraw our lives from the vanguard in order to avoid pain, we also diminish our ability to experience joy. It is not for us to decide what will come our way in life. We must say with Job, “Will we accept the good things from God and not the bad?” The bible is full of language that implies that we are to not run away from pain and suffering. In fact, the Bible even goes so far as to tell us to run toward and rejoice in suffering and pain. This is very different from our natural mindset. It takes a miracle to turn our comfort-addictions around and make us into people that will lay down our lives.

* * *

There are many arguments as to what the true meaning of art is. Some say that art is nothing more than the expression of something in the artist. Some say that art is nothing more than a perception or a thought. Some say that art is nothing. But I believe that art is a representation of a truth; a shadow or a projection onto a greater reality. In a way all of life is like this. It is all pointing to something, all leading somewhere. Art speaks to us because it represents truth to us. It cannot be only the projection of a thought from the artist; that would be meaningless to the one who sees the art. Art exposes the reality and calls out to something deep that we may not even recognize; but we are drawn to it and taken in. Life is kind of like a hologram. A hologram is a projection of light that allows an image to be seen in three dimensions. Every section of that projection, however, contains an imprint or image of the entire picture. The things in life that call out to us, the things we admire –we don’t realize most of them –are imprints of the whole; imprints of what is really true in this universe. The way trees function, the properties of water, the inward parts of the cell, the fact that I need food to survive, seventy-five thousand people packed in a stadium to watch a football game, the relationship between a husband and wife –all shadows of reality and truth. They point to reality –namely, GOD –which is why they are attractive to us. If there is no truth, there is no art.

All of things in life –whether it be a sunset, a painting, or cancer –are meant to point our eyes towards the Creator and giver of life; this is Worship. Worship is the centering of our hearts’ affection and attention upon the true and only God who does all things for His glory. We were made for this –to be captivated by the beauty of the Lord. That is what the Bible means when it says “The heavens are telling the glory of God.” All things bear the fingerprints of God in order that we might see Him and praise Him for all that He is. Pain exposes our true selves; and yet in Christ we are freed to hold onto the truth of all that He is for us. Pain only makes plain the reality that Christ is all we have and is all we need. It draws us away from self that is so complacent and distracted when it’s comfortable. Beauty and art draw us into the truth that a Creative God has made things that no other being could have conceived; He invites us to acknowledge Him and discover what life is really meant to be. Oh, that all of life would be worship! That we could be free to see His goodness in everything, without the stains of sin a pride to take away the crisp, clarity of God’s signature. But the hope that we have –and it is a hope that is sure –is that heaven will be a place where sin does not stain. In heaven we will be set free from seeing through this “glass dimly” and we will finally see “face to face” and “know, even as we are fully known.” Eternity in heaven will be an eternity of worship. This does not mean an endless repetition of “Lord I lift your name on high;” it means an unending, unimaginable eternity face to face with the God who made beauty and truth and made us to enjoy Him forever. May He hasten the day that our hearts find their home.