The Total = Truth

Who is in charge?

Truth impacts so very much. I shared a story last week about learning at a young age to manage money, and how that is such an important lesson to learn. It is so important to learn to live within our means. The truth of living with the truth, and counting the blessings we already have been blessed with is something we could all take up practice on daily. Happiness is not found in the things around us, but in all that we cannot take with us. Why not build on that eternal blessing as early on as possible, and carry it with us.

Tis the season when we celebrate the complete sacrifice that Jesus gave up for every single person who will ever walk this earth. Jesus dying on the cross for all of our sins. I have heard several different Pastors over the past couple weeks state that "sin is fun." I reflected on this and could very much agree. However, the aftermath of sin, leaves so much hurt, pain, and sometimes shame. Jesus took all of that pain, hurt and shame with Him and nailed it to the cross for all of us.

One story that comes to mind that embodies all that sin can inflict, was when I was 15 years old and I went to Myrtle Beach for Spring break with my two best friends, who were a grade above me. We also stayed with several of their friends from school. One night we were partying, imbibing. In my youth, I loved to tell long twisted stories, especially when I had an audience. That night, people kept asking where my friend was and the guy she liked. I took this as an opportunity to tell a fabricated story tale. I was feeling no pain, due to the alcohol in my system, and people around me were laughing. I was loving the moment. However, later in the evening, my friend confronted me with the things she had heard that I had said. It was at that moment that I realized how much my words hurt her. They were not true, but a twisted tale. Then the shame rolled in and clouded my head and impacted my entire body. There was really no way for me to take this hurt from her or me. I apologized, and thankfully she forgave me.

This lesson stuck with me, but I did know that partying would definitely get my mouth a motoring. And these situations led to more hurt inflicted and absorbed. The pain and hurt followed me for days, weeks and sometimes even ended relationships. There was no repairing the pain I had caused by "living in the moment" and "living out loud." I'm thankful for the sacrifice of Jesus. I'm thankful for growing closer to Him, and learning that I never want to hurt those I love (and that all people are worthy of love).

Throughout my study of the book of John this year, I have felt a strong connection with all that Jesus actually did to prepare for His period of sacrifice, suffering, and sadness. He did not want to leave those He loved. He revealed that He was completely human with the complete heaviness that He felt while facing completing His mission to die on the cross, which had been prophesied in the Old Testament. However, when the soldiers came to take Him in the garden, He did not cower.

"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?' 'They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, 'I am He.'" -John 18: 4- 5

Almost these exact accounts are recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke. The disciple, John, does include one more detail that is not recorded in the other books. "Now when He said to them, 'I am He,' they drew back and fell to the ground." -John 18:5

True words can convict and impact everyone. Do you seek to live in the truth? Do you trust the words of God recorded in the Bible? We can believe, but we find peace, love, and joy, when we walk the walk, and talk the talk.

God is a loving God, who longs to receive you. He sent Jesus to help cleanse all of us and free all of us from our sin. It is only a confession away. Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God, whom God sent to save us from sin?