Truth as a Friend

Truth comes as conqueror only to those who have lost the art of receiving it as friend.  Rabindranath Tagore (quoted by Sweet, page 31 of Eleven)

Boy did this one stop me for a few minutes of reflection.

There is truth we need to hear, but truth we don't want to hear. But hear it we shall... whether it comes to us as a gentle friend with caution and guidance...

... Or as a conqueror who forces us to face the realities that we have pretended were otherwise.

How about the famous line from Jack Nicholson playing Col. Jessup in A Few Good Men, "You can't handle the truth!"? This is truth that is coming in conflict, antagonism, challenge, and confrontation.

We need mentors who speak truth to us.

Here is a little exercise for you to try sometime. Think of two or three (or more if you want) people (a mentor, a spouse, a friend, a colleague) who know you well. Talk to them individually and give them this invitation.

What wisdom and truth would you like to speak into my  life about who I am, what I am doing, how I am doing, what concerns you have and what your "best counsel" for me is?  (Or think of your own way to say it, you get the idea.)

BUT...also tell them they have your undivided attention. You will not argue with them about what they say, you will not get defensive, you will not explain or justify yourself...all you will do is listen and ask clarifying questions so you can understand what they are saying.

I think this would be profitable for most of us, hearing truth from friends ... yet I think most of us would find this pretty threatening.

Do we really want to hear truth? Are we willing to engage with truth as a friend?

"Rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still." Proverbs 9:8-9

Brian Rice