Dealing with reality

Robin Williams once said, "Reality... what a concept!"

After fifty-five years of life, thirty-seven years of marriage and twenty-five years of pastoring, I've learned that reality is whatever people perceive it to be. Without exaggeration, for most people, perception of "reality" is much more powerful than the actual truth.

And that's precisely why we're in the mess we're in: People see what they want to see. But, God sees things as they really are.

The Bible says that God wants to transform us by the "renewing of our minds". Why? Because He wants us to see things, understand things, and discern things the way He does. He wants us to deal with reality. He wants us to know the truth. He wants us to be free, really free.

The Bible says that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. The Bible says that the truth will set us free. Now put it all together: The Word of God and the Spirit of the Lord will tell you the truth, which will renew your mind, and the truth will set you free.

This is called living by faith, and hope, and love. It's God's way to live. It's God's way to peace.

So why do people have such a hard time living this way? Mostly it's fear. And why are people so afraid? Because they don't trust God. And, they don't want to change; they fear change.

I could give you an alternate set of "realities" that might make you feel better but the truth is pretty simple. Many people don't trust God. They don't trust His Word, they don't trust His Spirit and they don't know what to do with the truth that is staring them in the face. They create a false reality they can "live with" and "pray" that the charade will hold up. And, they don't want to change the way they think or the way they live.

What a nutty reality.

Consider the message that God gave John the Baptist: Repent. Consider the message God gave to Jesus: Repent. Consider the message Jesus gave to His disciples: Repent. Do you see a pattern here? So what does repent actually mean? It means to change your mind; stop thinking one way and think another way. It means to turn around: if you're going south, go north.

Repentance requires change, sometimes dramatic change. Change of mind and change of heart.

But who really knows what to change and why one should change it?

God knows. And, He'll tell you if you'll listen to Him. And, He'll work everything out along the way if you'll trust Him.

If you really want to know the truth He'll tell you. If you really want to change He'll help you. If you really want to see things the way He sees them He'll let you. When you do you'll truly know what it means to walk by faith and not by sight, and you'll finally know what it is to be free.

Really free.

Comments

[Denise Johnson]

This is so true! I just spoke on this very thing ....a couple of times today. Blessings my friend!

[Tom Nicodemus]

Eloquently, Powerfully, and Lovingly said.