Who Can You Believe?

How Do You Know Who or What to Believe?  There are so many different voices claiming truth today.  Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals and Libertarians all claim to tell us exactly what is going on in the world today but none seem to paint the same picture.  “The White House is in Chaos.”  “The White House is a fine running machine.”  “Global warming is caused by humans and we can do something about it.”  “Global warming is a natural occurrence that is not affected by man.”  “Low carb diets are the best.”  “The South Beach diet is the best and healthiest.”  One study says that a glass of red wine with your evening meal is healthy and good for your heart.  Another study says that any and all alcohol is unhealthy and destroys brain cells.  So if one study is true and you have a glass of red wine with dinner you may have a healthy heart but if the other study is true your brain cells and memory could be affected…I’m sorry what were we talking about?

Oh yeah, with all the different voices, who can you trust?  How do you know what or who to believe?  What is truth?  Some 2000 years ago a Roman governor faced a Jewish man who had been brought before him with false charges from religious leaders who wanted this man dead because he was upsetting their religious belief system and their way of life.  Pilate looked into the eyes of truth incarnate (John 14:6) and asked the question we often struggle with today, “What is Truth?”

Today there are many who are like Pilate.  We may question what or who to believe, but do we really want to know?  Pilate looked truth in the eyes and turned away.  It was easier for him to walk away and continue in old familiar ways than face truth that would certainly bring improvement to life but it would also challenge and change a fairly comfortable lifestyle.  Truly knowing and properly responding to the truth would have threatened Pilate’s world.  His place of privilege and power would certainly have been endangered if he had continued to face truth and seen Jesus for who he really was.  It was easier to turn and continue in a world of lies, deceit and corruption.  This is the same reason that people today make excuses to stay in destructive situations rather than face truth and do the difficult work making changes truth requires.  One can become comfortable in a difficult, destructive life and too afraid and lazy to move into a different world.  The new way may be better but it is easy to stay with that which is familiar and takes less work. 

So, like Pilate, we also often act as if we are interested, but do we really want truth?  Excuses are easier than truth.  “Well, it’s hard for me to lose weight; I inherited a big boned body.”  The truth is not big bones but big portions.  Truth is difficult and not often pleasant.  Cutting back on portions and calories while increasing exercise or activity level will cause weight loss…no matter what our body type may be.  However, that means work, sacrifice and discipline, so it is easier to make an excuse (while enjoying pie) and claim that explanation as the reason for the situation or ‘my truth’. 

‘My truth’ has become a popular excuse to wrap one’s mind around a preferred version of truth.  If you will notice when someone expresses ‘their truth’, it always benefits their agenda or lifestyle.   Truth can never be shaped according to the eye or desire of the beholder.  Truth is never possessed, owned or personalized by anyone for their own comfort, favor or plan.  Truth stands alone and is either observed, ignored or followed for what it is.  Any variation is a lie.  No one owns truth.  When you hear someone expressing ‘their truth’ be careful with what you hear…be very careful.  I have found an attitude of healthy skepticism to be very helpful.  I have always questioned everything.  It does not matter who says it, where you read or heard it; it never hurts to question anything and everything you hear and observe. 

I always challenged listeners to question whatever they heard me proclaim and don’t accept it until you research and verify it as truth.  I also told them if/when they found what I proclaimed to be in error of the truth to let me know and I would buy their lunch.  Never hide or be afraid of the truth.  Truth can stand any scrutiny.  Truth invites it.  The scriptures say, “Put everything to the test. Accept what is good and don’t have anything to do with evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).  It is usually fairly easy to discern what it right and what is wrong.  It is not always as easy to do what is right.  I grew up in a place and time where it was culturally acceptable to mistreat people who had darker skin.  In fact, such conduct was promoted in some pulpits.  However, it did not take much testing to see that such behavior was evil. 

Truly seeing and properly responding to the truth can shake the foundation of a world that may not be working well but, it is a world in which we have grown comfortable and accepted.  Following truth will often lead to work that we don’t really want to do and change we may not really want.  History shows us that we do not always deal kindly with truth.  Gandhi spoke truth that led to India’s independence but an angry Muslim killed him because it did not correspond to ‘his truth’.  Martin Luther King Jr. spoke truth concerning civil rights and equal treatment for all people but that truth that was not accepted by everyone and he was assassinated.   Jesus was/is truth and religious people, who should be the ones seeking truth most of all, had him crucified.   Truth will not always make you popular, just right. 

So, how can you know who to believe and what is truth?  What did Jesus tell Pilate? “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)  Listen and follow what he says “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).  An honest life will not always be the way to win friends and influence people, sorry, Dr. Peale, but it will give you the freedom of conscience to live a life of integrity and truth rather than one of hypocrisy, lies, guilt and shame.   Find and follow truth.  Peace of mind comes from knowing and following truth.  Don’t believe me?  Look it up!    

Savor the Moment

Over the years I have studied many, if not most, religions and philosophical beliefs.  In doing so I have discovered that while there are extreme differences in many of these beliefs, they also have some commonality.  Every religious or philosophical belief is actually seeking a way to best navigate this life.  Some seek different religious or faith pathways while others seek more secular or logical direction but all are actually pursuing a way to make sense or come to terms with the best or better way to live out our time on this planet. 

I have also come to observe, at least in my opinion (which may make sense or be disagreeable to you but since I am writing this and am somewhat prejudiced toward my opinion I think it has merit), that there is one approach that is best no matter what religion or philosophy one cherishes or follows.  Jesus teaches us not to worry about tomorrow.  The Apostle Paul speaks of forgetting what is behind. René Descartes’ expression, "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am", summarizes that even in the midst of extreme doubt about every belief and everything the very fact that we are able to express a conscious thought at a specific moment verifies our existence.  There are many other expressions and quotes from religion and philosophy but (again, in my humble opinion), the best way to pass through this life is to ‘Savor the Moment’.  Think about it; no matter what faith, scientific belief or philosophy one holds most dear the only reality we have is the present, this very moment…right now!  

I have lived most of my life by faith in Christ, however no matter how strong our faith in a particular religion or philosophy, we can only ‘believe' if we don't have the evidence to truly ‘know'.  If we had the actual evidence to prove our belief, it would no longer be ‘faith’.  Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as being “sure of what we hope for and certain of what cannot see”.  The Authorized King James Bible (which some say is the only one that God personally endorsed) uses the words “substance” and “evidence” but it still comes down to believing something that cannot be proven as a solid fact.  However, to many, declaring: “I believe” is never an adequate substitute for being able to say, “I know”, and faith is largely centered around belief because it relies on second, third, fourth (and so on) accounts of things that may or may not be true.  But the point is not to question anyone's faith, but to simply present you with what is real. And the only thing we know to be real is this very moment.

 

Even the scientist who only believes what can be proven with evidence can only know what the evidence proves at that moment.  We have seen cases where evidence changed or new evidence was discovered and things that were once proven to be factual in a scientifically established conclusion were now proven wrong or changed.  So, whether one is a logical thinking atheistic scientist or a deeply faithful religious believer all one can really ‘know’ is what one is experiencing at this very moment.  This is life! It may not exist past this moment so we must cling to and savor the sacredness of this moment.  Whether you believe in life after death or that death will be the end of any and all existence, you know that you have this moment!  So, no matter what belief or philosophy makes the most sense to you, savor this moment!

And how does one best savor this moment?  Well, once again in my humble opinion (and remember, I am somewhat biased in the opinions of this writer) the best way to savor the moment is to be kind and loving to those around you at this moment and seek to enjoy and have as much fun as you can in this moment.  You may not be able to control who is around you and their behavior may not be kind or positive but you can make the most of the moment for yourself by being kind and loving to them.  Jesus told us to even love our enemies.  We may not be able to control their actions but we can control ours.  We can forgive and forget as quickly as possible to let go of any anger or grudges.  It is amazing how often a kind word or a simple smile can diffuse a difficult moment.   

The situation of the moment may not be pleasant.  In fact, it may be difficult or emotionally and physically painful.  However, one can make the most of the moment by seeking to find and share joy as much as possible no matter what is going on.  Even in the midst of terrible pain or grief sharing love can bring joy. 

I have found this approach to always work in helping me make the most of each moment.  Even when I was being prepared for serious life-threatening surgery I sought to make myself and those around me more relaxed and comfortable by being pleasant, kind and joyful.  If this was to be my last moment of life I certainly didn’t want to have a bad time of it.  As they put me under anesthesia I knew I would wake in Heaven or the recovery room but I knew that was out of my hands.  The only thing I could do was savor the moment, even if it was to be my last on this planet...especially if it was to be my last moment on this planet!

By the way, according to the dictionary, savor means: to give flavor to: SEASON, to have experience of: TASTE, to taste or smell with pleasure: RELISH, and/or: to delight in: ENJOY.  All of those apply to my suggestion that you savor the moment!  All describe the best way to make the most of your life, which is the experience of this moment!  Right now is what you have…make the most of it!