Recognizing Truth In Our Lives

by Gloria Flatmoe

Truth has a funny way of showing up, even in the simplest moments.

The other day, earlier in the morning than I would have liked, two of my little grandchildren were sitting in their Little Tikes cars,   parked side by side like they were having a very grown-up moment. Not many words were exchanged until suddenly, out of nowhere, one of them blurts out in a grumpy little voice: “I need a coffee!”  Boy could I relate!

I couldn’t help but chuckle. I don’t know where they picked that up (ahem…), but the truth was plain as day. It was early in the morning, he was tired and in need of something to perk him up. No long explanation needed—the truth was written all over the moment.

Isn’t that how truth works in our own lives? Even when we try to cover it up or say something different, truth has a way of breaking through. Just like I knew what was really going on in those two Little Tike cars, God helps us recognize what’s real and what’s not in our own lives. Sometimes it’s loud and obvious, but other times it shows up in subtle ways—a tug in our spirit, a verse that won’t leave our mind, or even just that uneasy feeling when something doesn’t line up. Recognizing truth doesn’t always take a big dramatic event. Sometimes it’s as simple as pausing, paying attention, and letting the Holy Spirit nudge us.

Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13a). That means we don’t have to figure it out on our own. We don’t have to second-guess or wonder if we’re seeing things clearly. The Spirit helps us recognize what’s real and what’s not, even when life is noisy.

Call to action:  Think about a time recently when you just knew something wasn’t right (maybe before you’ve had your coffee) or when God made His truth plain to you in a simple, everyday way. How did you recognize it?