Happy Monday!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend! A change in the weather reminiscent of Fall made me want to be outside enjoying the freshness. Nature has a way of drawing us into the unpretentious aspects of life and leading us out of our self-imposed isolation as we get lost in our electronic devices. We may not completely feel like being out in the open, unprotected, but often nature provides the opportunities we need to examine our truths.
This past week was quite busy, maybe more active than usual. Those who know me well might quip, “…and I could tell because…” (lol!), but I became weary. So, on Friday night, after an incredibly full day, I spent some time with my younger daughter and then retired for the evening.
I woke up Saturday morning to a cool breeze in a dark, quiet home, wondering why I was wide awake. But, going back to sleep was pointless and at 5 am, I arose to spend some directed time meditating and catching up on a Scripture plan I was doing with a dear friend. I lit a candle, made some coffee (of course), and settled into what I thought would be a lovely time of rejuvenation and reinvention. That’s what usually happens to me during these unique 1:1 times with the Almighty.
Several hours later, I received a call from another dear friend who had been navigating some unplanned life transitions. We talked about all manner of topics, and then my friend shared some thoughts about a calling that had resurfaced. Suddenly, it all made sense to me. The early awakening, the time spent in solitude, and the morning’s comfortable and general ‘rightness’ had been in preparation for this conversation.
We shed some tears of joy together, and I felt compelled to dig a little deeper into the crux of our conversation. I affirmed, encouraged, and challenged my friend to accept the commission given. I felt that the time I’d spent earlier joyfully culminated in a new direction for this long-time friend.
Interestingly, the time that followed was wholly directed toward me. It was a reflective time of recognizing my truth in the midst of reassuring another person. Again, these thoughts leveled me, and tears flowed freely. There was confirmation of my own calling, recognition of old practices and beliefs that needed to be released, and a feeling of letting go, with total abandon, of the things that have caused worry, strife, and uneasiness about the future. I felt as though I, too, was commissioned to finally complete some things that I’d buried long ago because others alluded that the calling couldn’t have been for me. The experience was indeed cathartic.
I found the following quote, which summarizes the thoughts about who I am and the truth about me and possibly about you:
I don’t know who else needs to hear this. It doesn’t matter what others say about you, even if well-intended. You are not responsible for what others think, assess, limit, discourage, or perceive about you. Your responsibility is to stay strong and live your truth in the light. You deserve to enjoy the freshness, exploring those things that make you feel alive and in sync with your spirit.
We learn in Scripture that if we know the truth, the truth will set us free (John 8:32, paraphrased). There was controversy over a point Jesus was trying to make with teachers and some Pharisees. The issue was that knowing the truth would release them from bondage if they were indeed His disciples.
The psalmists write about truth in terms of education (Ps 25:5), humility, justice, and achievements (Ps 45:4), and hope (Ps 119:43). Proverbs notes that truth is enduring (Prov 12:19), life-saving (Prov 14:25), and wise and insightful (Prov 23:23). And, again, in John we see:
“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” (John 3:21 NKJV)
And I haven’t even begun to write about the Holy Spirit’s impact regarding truth!
From another perspective, we know that uncovering truth leads to mental stability and balance. Where the function of science meets the truth of faith, miraculous healing and knowledge of self become a means by which we shed past trauma and develop tools to manage our lives better. It’s all connected and begins with acceptance of truth in one form or another.
The process can be scary, and we weren’t meant to journey alone. Thus, a community takes shape, friendships blossom, and support is sought after and secured. We gain the strength to turn a deaf ear to the comments and unhelpful critiques because our perspectives change. Sometimes inappropriate commentaries still sting, but as we learn to stay strong in our truths and allow our inner lights to shine, we begin to care less about others’ perspectives that previously kept us from accomplishing our purpose.
My desire for you this week is to continue the quest of finding truths about yourself and be undaunted in the pursuit. First, find someone trustworthy with whom you can share your thoughts and wonderings. Then be relentless in the journey toward your goals, uncover your inner strengths, shed the baggage of others’ perspectives, and stay grounded in your light. Finally, enjoy being firmly planted in your truth and boldly living in the light!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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