Just a sip of truth is enough

Just a sip of truth is enough

It’s looking beneath the surface that you’re so good at.

Things that I just can’t see – even though they are in my own heart and mind – you can see.

And you work away to bring them to the surface, till at last I face them, and am dumbfounded.

Struck in the face, perhaps, or uplifted to the sky, but most often simply dropping to my knees, poleaxed by the truth that now stands out so blatantly obvious.

Yet the revelation is always joyful – after a while.

The shoot cracking the hard crust of earth entails a shock of light, but it is the light that is life-giving.

Bitter tears of regret are common: how could I have been so foolish for so long?

But really, the experience is of relief and liberation; it abounds with joy, and new hope.

The truth does always set you free.

And it is God who holds the truth in the hollow of his hand.

So many are intent on their self-serving lies, so many are duped by the distortions heaped upon them, that they will not take what is held out to them.

They do not want the truth; it does not serve their needs.

But the truth is what we most truly need, and it is God who keeps it safe.

Patiently, he watches and waits till a chink in our armour, allows a chink of light to penetrate to the cold interior in which we keep our lies safe, so that no-one can disabuse us of them.

Liberating Lord, why do you bear with us?

Why you love us is beyond me; yet you do, and you reach out your hand to bring your love close.

We sip the truth from your hand and we are refreshed.