Fact and truth. Two words often defined or used as having the same meaning. Often times these two words are hard to separate because facts can disguise themselves as truth. For instance... Fact: a person believes that they have very little talent and have nothing to contribute to society. Truth: every person is crafted with enormous talent and potential. Fact and truth are often summed up in what we believe. Do we chose to see facts and allow ourselves to be hindered, harmed, or handicapped by their weight? Or hold to truth - a promise revealed in time regardless of facts?! Just in case this is getting a bit muddy or you have started to ask yourself, "Where is he going with this?", please keep reading! Today my family will lay to rest my Grandmother, Donna Blevins. See passed away early Tuesday morning due to health complications. Fact: this was not expected. Fact: this news has not come in the most convenient season. Fact: these circumstances can uncover raw emotions that have been untapped and come unexpected. I could go on and on but I will save you the details. But thankfully there are truths. Truth: we have peace because of where my Grandmother placed her faith. Truth: she rests in the inspiring presence of our Father God. Truth: God's plan is always in our best interest regardless of what we see and experience. Now, it can be extremely difficult to see clearly between fact and truth. Why? Facts can be so far from the truth that we can be victim to the facts. Now I'm not suggesting we deny facts and float around obliviously to what they hold in store. No we endure the facts because of the truth. Suffering is how we know comfort. It is also an opportunity for us to gain compassion for humanity through our experience. What an incredible gift! To know how one may feel so that you can meet them at heart level during their experience. To suffer with them and not simply pass by apathetic and empty. It gives you the insight to not just focus on the facts that capture so many and paralyze their journey, but to point to the hope that resides in a truth that we far too often miss. Fact: my brother was in a life-changing car accident 50 days ago (7 weeks). Fact: family and all involved have been stretched, burdened, and affected. Fact: information is harder to receive now and there are legal complications involved. Truth: God has been in the redemption business since before I was born. Truth: God fully intends to see His plans come to fruition. Truth: His timing is perfect and right and He uses our experiences for His good. Again, it can be agonizing to differentiate fact and truth. That what we see and feel may not be at all what we want. Or what we want may not be the best for us. For instance, I used to want to have my hair styled like Vanilla Ice. But if this would have happened, I think that I may have never met my wife! (This is a joke of course... not the hair part, that was for real!) Even though this is a less than deep or important example it is true. You see even in our faithlessness, mistakes, and deeply missed marks, God is faithful and perfect. So maybe today you are struggling with perception? Maybe you have your own perspective or opinion? Or maybe you are influenced by someone else and their viewpoint? But consider this... Is it fact or truth? Better said, would God say, "You did well with this assignment good and faithful worker!" Because fact is almost always different than truth! Or, "Do you know how greatly I love you? Trust in my plan for you! Live at peace with my grace being enough!" Truth remains, sustains, and makes right those that complain. Please continue to pray for our family. Maybe prayer is uncomfortable for you, this I understand... but could you consider just having us in your thoughts? Continue to pray for Brad's recovery, he is getting stronger each and everyday so we covet your prayers for healing and recovery. This in itself has been a miracle! And if I could ask a small favor... be aware of those around you today. You could have an amazing opportunity to share with someone truth while they are in the midst of being oppressed with facts!
Stuff that brings me inspiration that may be a help to you as well:
John 6:29
Matthew 11:28-30
The Book of Ester
Psalm 91
Romans 12
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