Devotional: Tell the Truth

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

I was deceived by a story I tried desperately to create. An image I wanted to project. I didn’t intentionally lie to myself, but it was easier to hide than to tell the truth. Fear called me deficient, and reminded me that if I revealed, I would be unwanted. So I became trapped under my own skin. I felt lonely and isolated, without connection and depleted from the basic desire to be seen and known. I didn’t know what I ran from, I didn’t know what drove the terrified plague of self rejection that ran through my core. I only knew that if I were to confront the real me, I might find that fatal error that would confirm that I am unwanted and unworthy.

But when my world crumbled, what seemed like the end was in truth the rescuing job of Jesus. He broke through my shell of protection and called out my purpose and identity. He showed me the broken parts, and revealed my core self. He drew me out of the religious trickery that let me to appear outwardly “good” while being inwardly vacated. And allowed me to break under the power of His voice. It was His Truth that rescued me. It wasn’t just a decree of the law and the sin I housed, it was a declaration of my preciousness, of my potential. 

Walking in this truth isn’t a to-do list to follow, it’s a relationship to nurture. His truth is a revelation of His love, a gut-level awareness of His presence. I can use truth like a power weapon that enables me to see and to experience life as God  intended. It’s a flashlight that extends into my inner world to reveal thoughts and intentions. It straddles me to itself when I am prone to wander. And it woos me with the satisfaction of its end result. Truth is where I’m safe. 

Meditation Point: Moving Towards Hope

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I am a product of a loving Father. I am enough in my Savior’s eyes. I am free to be who I am.

When I’m struggling with seeing truth:

Father God,
My heart yearns for the safety of your truth, but fears what it will find. I want to open up, I want to escape my attempts to hide from fear and the tormenting thought of my inadequacy. So I bring to you my heart and my soul. I ask you pick me up where I’m still broken. That you give me a truthful image of who you are, and you train my heart to find the safety of your love.
In Jesus name – Amen