Photo: David John Terry (pinterest.com)
Thought for the Week
Truth is not comforting. It’s a hard path to stay on. It’s rocky and unpredictable, refusing to show us what we wanted to see, taking us where it will, rather that where we wanted it to. Meanwhile, crowds gather on both sides, basking in the false light of being “right–right now,” and vilifying all who refuse to join them. Why? Because, as Thomas Merton once said:
“We desire not the truth, but rather that our lie should be proved ‘right’ and our iniquity be vindicated as ‘just.’ This is what we have done to pervert our natural, instinctive appetite for truth. No wonder we hate. No wonder we are violent.”
Great thoughts, thanks so much for sharing!! I needed to read this, today. Keep up the good work; you’re awesome!!
Thank you, Keziah.
Great post. I always love the words of Thomas Merton ❤️
Me too.
One of the most important things you’ve ever written, Mitch, and that is saying a ton!!! My thoughts have been running in just this direction as I begin to put together an online evening devotions for my church this Sunday. I believe I shall need to use your wise, if difficult to hear, words. Also coming to mind are Micah’s words about walking humbly with God. Finding humility in the midst of the knee-jerk temptation to be right is not an easy thing.
Amen to that, Martha.
As someone wise once observed: It is easier to fool people than it is to get them to realize they’ve been fooled, and harder still to get them to admit it.
Or as someone recently said to me, “Who is the greater fool? The fool or the one who follows the fool?”
Our own truth leads us down the right path.
Thought provoking and it would appear to validate the declared deceitful heart of man, that the Bible talks about. And truth, that evasive definitive reality that Jesus speaks about, which clashes so often with what we see and hear and often times erroneously believe. Jesus never said He had found the truth, He said He was the truth and Jesus never said He had found the way, He said He was the way and lastly, Jesus never said that He had found the life, He said He was the life. Definitive truths that shatter the fallacies that surround us. Blessings Mitch!
Thanks, Bruce, and amen.
There was this other guy saying that too … Jesus … that was him. Truth is one of the most valuable things we have.
You and Thomas Merton put it so well, Mitch. I’ve told my sons for years to be careful to not overlook truth while trying to justify an attitude.
Thank you, Annie, and right you were in telling your sons that.
Hm….but is one’s personal “truth” steeped in “fact” or personal opinion based on our belief system?? Much of what we saw unfold in DC last week was the result of misinformation and “personal opinions” and not fact. And it costs lives. I hope the ” truth” that is being discussed here is fact based because sometimes “our own truth” leads us to some pretty dangerous territory.
Anyway, wish u and i lived close enough to take a walk and chat. I think we’d have some good discussions.😉
I agree, Lucie! And, yes, it would be lovely if we lived near one another. Ah, well.
Great post! The truth will set us free!
Thank you, Mitch. This was an important truth well spoken. Plus you quoted Merton, so an extra 10 points for that! Seriously, just right on the money and so succinct. You really blessed us today, my friend.
Thanks, Steve. So glad it spoke to you.
Amen.
Len Freeman
Excellent.
I wonder how many of us have ever said “You know, I was wrong about this” — or even “It’s possible that I may be wrong about this”?
Lately, I have been rethinking some things. Thank God for headache meds! 🙂
Reblogged this on Love and Love Alone.
Such an inspiring post 👍🏻👍🏻
“The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off!” ~Gloria Steinem
Thanks for the great post my friend. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. (Psalm 37:23) Sometimes those steps may lead through rough terrain to help fix some of our character flaws. “Better on a rough road to your destiny than an easy road to nowhere.”—C.F. Leach…Blessings and Peace.
Thanks, Claudia. And I really like that C.F. Leach quote, btw. Do you know much about her? ;>)
Mitch. C.F. Leach is me!!! LOL And that’s a quote from my book Where in Oz is the Church: Are You on the Right Path… Blessings and Peace.
I know, Claudia, that’s why I added the winky face. (But I really do like the quote.)
psalm 48:12 if not 12:48
AMEN!!!!
Very iinsightful . Thank you
My pleasure, Bonnie.
Amen, Mitch. Thank the Lord he provided the road, the strength to walk on it, and His promises to with us each step.
Amen!
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I love this Merton quote. It provides much to consider. Thank you for sharing it with us!
John 4:16 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
And again in 2 Corinthians 3:17:
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
The answers to the search beautifully displayed in your post
So true–It is truth that will lead us home!!
The truth always sets us
Free?
😉😉😉 lol forgot to type “free” thanks for finishing the sentence