4/16/2018 0 Comments Truth To Power DiscussionTRUTH
What is it? Truth is by definition the quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality. However, I think that the meaning of this word can go much deeper than that, because certainly something does not have to be a factual or realistic in order to be true. I think that truth can certainly be defined differently by different people based on their individual experiences and beliefs, but ultimately I believe that there is one source of truth that gives hope to our lives. Who says it is? It often seems that everyone is shouting a different thing, thousands of voices and opinions competing for the chance to speak "truth". But the problem with this is that as human beings, we each develop different ideas of what is true. Thus, truth can be defined about 7.3 billion different ways. There is no solidity in that, no assurance of what is actually right. With this mindset, we will be grasping around for some sense of hope, in actuality only trying to find some scrap of validity to hold onto in this world of uncertainty. In order to stay afloat, we need some foundation, something to turn to in times of doubt. But our political leaders seem corrupt, the internet frames issues to put forth its agenda, and even the people around us do not seem to be reliable sources of truth. So where do we turn to find answers? I believe that in the crazed muddle of blurred lines between what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong, the Name of Jesus and the Word of God ought to be our reference for truth in every situation and in every aspect of our lives. How do we know? I think that my source of truth is definitely not everyone's source of truth. This again comes back to the fact that truth can be defined differently by every person. It doesn't make sense to me that there would be no absolute truth, no answers, only thousands of different conclusions that in reality are all correct. I cannot live without some absolute foundation of hope, only living my life trying to accept that it doesn't matter what you believe, that we are all equally right and that all opinions, regardless of their contradiction to one another, are correct. That just doesn't seem right to me. But I think that the only way for someone to understand what truth is is for them to experience it for themselves, which is how I know that my foundation of truth is real to me. In my own life, I struggled with trying to understand what I believe. But as I have grown I have seen how my life has been impacted by the truth of God's Word. I have seen how I am changed as a person, going from uncertain, confused, fearful, and depressed, to someone who is more confident, rooted in my beliefs and understanding that I am validated through Christ. I struggled to understand my own identity and discover what I wanted to do with my life, but now I have been set free by truth. No longer do I have to carry around the burden of my own failures. John 8:32 says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." In Christ I find truth, and I know that in this world of pain, death, and uncertainty, He is the Name above all names, the Ruler above all rulers, and the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. As I have searched God's Word and searched my own opinions and experiences, the truth of the God has been proven to me over and over and I see it daily in the way He has blessed me and provided for my life. Even though I am far from perfect, I hope that my life will be living proof to those around me that real truth can be found in the Name of Jesus Christ. POWER What is it? Power is the ability to wield influence in a position of authority. I think that this definition can also be taken in several directions, because in a way everyone has power. Certain individuals are in charge of more and seem to have more influence in our world, but in reality our ability to be powerful comes from our passion to implement change. Who has it? I think that it is easy for us to feel that power rests only in the hands of political leaders, or in the grasp of imperfect human beings. With this mindset, we are bound by human failure and corruption. While our leaders do have great power over us, and while we are directly impacted by their decisions, I believe that there is one God over them all, who holds the earth in His hands and keeps it together by His will. No person on earth has more power than God, and I feel great peace about this because it means that He is above all and has the final say in every situation. It means that no human on earth has the power to snatch me out of His hands, and He works all things together for good. It means that I don't have to try and strive to earn my validation and save myself, but that I can rest in the fact that the One who has power over death is holding me secure, giving me the freedom to live my life without being burdened by my shortcomings. How is it used? Again, our typical response to this question would be that many of our leaders are wielding their power to promote their own beliefs and marginalize the opinions of the people. Many people use their power for selfishness, greed, and corruption. Some others in positions of power also use their gifts and abilities to benefit those within their community, speaking out with boldness to influence the people around them and cause them to question the way our society thinks. This is inspiring to me because one goal I have for my art is that it would make people uncomfortable, cause them to think, and speak truth to those around me. I also appreciate art that causes me to feel uncomfortable, to really think about what it means, and therefore to only reaffirm my own convictions about what is true. The courage to ask those questions and speak up for what is right is what power is to me, and I believe that is how it ought to be used. I think that a strong use of power can also be seen through Christ's sacrifice for human kind. Being fully God, Jesus came to earth to be with the people he loves, ministering to them and serving them before sacrificing his life at the hands of the Romans for the atonement of sin. After his death on the cross, the sky grew dark and the power of God was revealed as the sins of the world were paid for. Matthew 27:50-54 says, "50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) 54 Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, “Truly this one was God’s Son!” To me, this verse reveals the power of God, the earth shaking, the rocks splitting, the dead coming to life, and the people falling to their knees as Christ took the wrath of God that man was fully deserving of. And three days later he displayed his power once again by defeating death, raising from the dead and rising in victory against the darkness of sin and death. It had to be Him, because He was the only one who was perfect. He was the only one possessing power over death, and he used that power to save those who were completely undeserving of the gift of eternal life. But now, because of his sacrifice, those who believe on the Name of Jesus have eternal life (Acts 16:31). Because of this, I can face every tomorrow. Because of this, all my fear and pain is gone and I know that He holds my life and my future in His hands.
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