True

Friday has rolled around once again. Today's Five Minute Friday word prompt is true.


In the book of Philippians, Paul encourages the church in this way:

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

I have a note in my Bible next to this passage that says "Focus on Jesus." In a world with little truth -- or for that matter, many of those other characteristics -- this note gleaned from a Bible study or sermon somewhere along the way is an excellent reminder of where my focus needs to be: on the Truth.

People in our lives may tell us half-truths, what we want to hear or what they want us to hear.

Media outlets can frame stories in a way to catch our attention or garner Web traffic, leaving the truth somewhere in a corner.

One political party adamantly insists their way is right and true; and then the opposing party does the same, but our nation's trust in them has been so eroded, most of us have trouble discerning who is telling the truth and often we doubt anyone is.

Manufacturers and retailers make great promises about what their products can do to improve my life, but in reality, very little of it is true.

So much of life is filtered through the lenses of others -- family, friends, reporters, authors, speakers, preachers, teachers, leaders. In a noisy world, we are constantly bombarded with what is touted as "truth." But Truth is best discovered when we slow down, tune out the noise, are still, and turn our focus to where it belongs.