Choose Truth

An elephant sits in the room, there in the corner, as big as life itself and yet hidden from view.  People walk past, shield their eyes from the sight, and continue on as if they had not seen a thing.  But if one were to look closely, if one were to pay attention, that person would realize a name tag hung from the elephant’s neck with large bold letters identifying it as “TRUTH”.  However, now that the name of the elephant is known, what should be done about it?  Should the person set the elephant free?  Should the elephant be sent elsewhere?  Should the person change the name tag to a less offensive or more obscure name?  Or should it continue to be ignored?

We’ve all been there.  We’ve all been in a situation where seeing the elephant in the room and letting the Truth out seems like an unthinkable option.  Best to keep quiet.  Best to keep the facts between a few selected people.  Best to let others live in bliss and keep the harsh Truth from their little innocent selves.  Besides, saying the Truth out loud could cause a ripple effect of consequences that we are unprepared (cough cough unwilling) to handle. 

And so we ignore that little big elephant over there in the corner. 

The funny thing is: everyone can feel the elephant in the room even if they can’t see it.  They know someone is breathing up a lot of oxygen in the room; they know that certain people avoid walking near a certain corner for some reason; they know that something is different and no one will tell them what it is.

So the rumor mill starts. 

“I hear that one of us really messed up and they want to fire that person.  That’s why they’re whispering so much.” 

“I hear that so-and-so cheated on so-and-so, but no one wants to tell him.”

“I can’t quite put my finger on it, guys, but I’m pretty sure something bad is going down.  Maybe one of our bosses is quitting?”

“Money.  It’s always about money.  Either some is missing or some is being cut from the budget.  That’s why they look so worried.”

“I hear that in that corner there’s a gas leak, but they don’t want anyone to panic so they haven’t told anyone yet.  But they’re working on fixing it.”

Pretty soon, the rumors become so alive that they start to choke the life out of the not-yet-said Truth.  In this battle, the rumors may win and even if the Truth is finally admitted, no one is going to believe it.

All because we didn’t have the courage (read vulnerability) to admit the Truth. 

Jesus tells us very clearly that this is not the way we are to live.  He says to us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  He wants us to embrace him as Truth because in Truth, there is freedom and there is life.

Today, I encourage you to seek out that grace-filled Truth.  I encourage you to be vulnerable to admit what’s really going on.  I encourage you to be courageous and choose Truth over rumors, Truth over the easy way out, Truth over keeping an elephant as a pet. 

Stay tuned!  


Photo credit: http://blog.dyslexicadvantage.org/2015/01/27/being-dyslexic-the-elephant-in-the-room/