I Spy with My Little Eye
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
I Spy with My Little Eye
At almost 70, I am still playing this game with children in an effort to keep their little minds occupied. I also have an adult version of that same game and it has the same name. However, the older folks have to name things exceptionally pretty, good, evil, delicious etc. One might be totally amazed at how many grownups struggle with this (especially because it is timed). Yes, I know, it is all biased but the conversations around these choices are fascinating.
Am I being judgmental or subjective? Perhaps, but it certainly stirs up lots of interesting discussion. Here are some questions for you to consider (but remember this is a game).
· Name something that is absolutely beautiful.
· What is one thing that you consider evil in this world?
· Think of something good.
· Can you name the most delicious food you have ever tasted?
See, these are all simple questions but if you have six people answering, most likely there will be six different answers. What are you going to do if someone totally disagrees with you? The answer is NOT post it on Facebook.
While we may think we are being truly honest, our integrity is most likely based upon our concept of reality. Friends, that is skewed and not worth much these days. For me, what I thought was true today may change by tomorrow. So, what is the truth? Where can we find it? What does the truth really look like?
There is only one place to locate the ultimate truth and that is God’s Word. No matter how others may try to persuade us or what other religions or beliefs may claim as accurate, we must believe and stand strong. God is incapable of lying and He means what He says and says what He means. There is no place for wishy-washy theology!
You might be asking yourself which version of the Bible is true; they are all different. Which one contains more of the truth? A very wise, dear friend told me to go with the most scholarly versions—the ones that have had the detailed research. That seems to make a lot of sense to me! And please remember we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and reveal God’s Word to us. As we read and study, pray and discuss with fellow believers, God gives us understanding.
When it comes to “I Spy”, remember, it is only a game. When it comes to eternal life, you cannot make up the rules as you go along. It is not subjective; it is the real deal. I don’t want to spy heaven; I want to get there!
Gracious and merciful Father, help us to seek the truth—Your Truth—in the world today. AMEN.
Photograph: Michael Johnston