Acknowledging Truth as a Friend

Hopeful. I woke up hopeful today. A sense of flowing strength in the heart. Let the broken shackles be shaken off and let us be free to dance. 1 Corinthians 13 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Last night I met an ex-colleague who verified some matters I had heard, and wondered true. Hearing the matter verified was sad. But part of realising that it was not a marred emotional perception brought a sense of resolution. Actually, deep down, I still had not accepted it. For many years, I had wanted to see the best of people, and to believe the best of people. I still have a deep wish to do that, and practice that as much as possible. But now, with care -- not at the cost of truth. Know the truth, and the truth will set you free. I used to protect people I loved or felt loyal too - to the point of denial. Hearing further of their failings had been too painful back then. That, I realised, was skewed loyalty. As time progressed, I realised that to move forward, I need to embrace the truth no matter how painful it is. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Truth is my friend. Deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Denial of truth - feels like a kiss, but is actually deceit. Self deception. Personal accountability and responsibility. These are our required duties from the Lord. Not only NOT laying blame, but also the need to embrace truth - so our eyes will not remain shut to evil. I learnt that maturity requires the exercise of our senses to discern between good and evil -- and to end with choosing LIFE giving decision. In this instance, choosing to embrace truth so I can be free. Looking back, I feel deeply regretful that I had allowed this matter to even drag so long. I repent of wasting the time given by the Lord. Can I still look up and ask the Lord to hear my cry, and use me as His instrument to heal the land? My heart asks. With this, I am thankful for His faithfulness. The Lord is still working and continues to sow His truth in us, and He will not give up. As His sowing increases, the tares and the wheat will be clear with the passage of time. Then what to the harvest will be clearly seen. With each passing season and His faithful sowing, may His grace brings in our lives a completely clear field of pure wheat that is completely His.