We’ve parked for a while in the 25^th chapter of The Bridge from OneDayBow and looked at the subjects of truth and deception from many perspectives. But there’s one more thing to consider before we move on.

There’s a lot of talk today about having “your own truth”. And some of the “self-truth” claims defy logic. But where did the notion of “personal truth” come from? We can clearly see its conception in the Bible, Genesis 3, when the serpent baited Eve with, “Did God actually say…” and followed it with an accusation against God and an invitation to discover “truth” for herself. Old lie, ever-changing audience…

Humans are born into sin, and then validate that fact by personal choices. We form ideas, impressions, and opinions internally, but those things largely originate with outside sources. It’s what we do with the information that we receive that largely shapes what we believe, or don’t believe. Even so-called “personal truth” is actually not so personal, but a collection of input that is received and embraced.

Having said that; have you ever wished you could see what’s really going on inside someone’s conscience? Do they really believe what they sometimes express, or are they the boasts of the crowd they run with? Kind of like that day at the Café in HereAndNow. When the diversion presented itself, they were more interested in obtaining bobbles than in discussing ideology. At least most were…

As the people ran off, and Tim stood in shock at the thought that Natas was living and active in HereAndNow – which is no surprise to me! – someone returned to get her knapsack. (I happen to know that she came back on purpose.)

The girl asked Tim, “Can you come here?” I’m sure Tim was glad for the opportunity to move away from Natas, but he was about to be surprised by the conversation:

“Taking Tim aside, she said, “Pretty tough crowd today!

I’m glad they didn’t hurt you. I’m glad they let you stay.

And oh, my name is Maegan. I know your name is Tim.

Are you feeling okay Tim? You’re looking kind of grim.”

No wonder Tim looked grim. If she knew what he knows, she’d look grim too!

It was clear that Maegan was nervous, but she had an important question to ask Tim:

“The Book that you have with you, I wonder, have you read

Of someone who almost crossed, but walked away instead?”

As Tim tried to answer her question, the reason that she asked quickly came out.  She had gone to the Bridge, twice, at least she had gotten close. But tempter’s accusations and the mocking of her friends halted her advance, even though she could see the King’s Son clearly drawing her to Himself. But there was something else that stopped her.

The lies that she believed.

You may think I’m talking about bobbles, but I’m not. Let me quote her:

“Accusing voices told me that I wasn’t good enough,

And warned that the Bridge to freedom would be narrow and tough.”

The voices were in her own head. She knew who she was, all she had done, and wondered if the King’s Son could possibly forgive her and allow her into OneDayBow.

Maybe you, like me, experienced that very thing. It wasn’t that you didn’t believe in God, but you had doubts about yourself. Why should He let someone like me into His Kingdom? Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to make the way so that anyone can believe and receive the free gift of eternal life through His work of redemption. He is not willing that any should perish, but come to eternal life. Jesus has paid the debt for sin to bring people into a living relationship with Himself. When we receive His gift in faith, He receives us. But that’s just the beginning; just like Maegan asked Tim, He absolutely can and will teach us how to live. The cross is the beginning of a resurrected life, real life in Jesus.

Well, if you read to the end of the chapter you know that Maegan headed to the Bridge, confident and excited to meet the Son at the Bridge! She quit believing the lies that come from the outside and the inside! And what happened to Natas when the lies were exposed? He slithered away!

People believe a lot of lies, and I’m not just talking about “bobbles.” Let’s seek our answers in the Truth of God’s Word – the Bible. Let it be the plumb line for discovering the real-reality of life. It will give discernment and direction, and point to the One we can safely place our confidence in: Jesus, God’s Son.