MY Truth

MY truth. Sounds good and catchy, right? Maybe even a tad philosophical. But let’s think for a moment about this phrase you may have used, and if not, I’m certain you’ve heard others passionately say these two words as they share what is really their perspective.

Consider these few series of events,  which are, in fact, happening in real time.

I’m in the sauna at the gym. A woman comes in, and the initially quiet hot box is suddenly filled with loud Spanish videos playing from her phone. No conversation. No headphones. Just disturbance. Immediately, I am bothered by what I deem a lack of respect, perhaps even a lack of manners. Consequently, my immediate thoughts are not gracious: You walk into a quiet space and decide this is fine? I wonder if I should ask whether she has headphones. I consider leaving. I do neither.

Now, think with me.

Should I label that woman as inconsiderate? Rude? Oblivious? And if I do, what exactly am I declaring—my truth or the truth? That’s up to you to decide “your truth” on the matter. But as I thought about this experience later on, a scripture came to mind: “man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 

MY truth is that I expected silence. MY truth is that I felt MY space had been disrupted. MY truth is that I was irritated. That’s my truth, but can we agree that my truth here is really my perspective? My feelings were valid, yes, but they reflected only what I could see and what I felt in that moment.

As I got up to leave, I glanced over at her. Darn  it, she smiled at me! Of course, I smiled back–genuinely, too, because by then the Holy Spirit had already spoken to my heart.

You see, in that small exchange, the Holy Spirit had gently interrupted my narrative and shown me that my truth is incomplete, and is, in fact, my perspective. That lady wasn’t an enemy or an example of bad manners. And who knows why she came in the usually quiet space and swallowed up the silence? I can think of a few reasons, and I’m sure you can too.

We live in a culture where we are encouraged to elevate our truth above all else, but I invite you to practice putting self aside and simply pause before presupposing. As I challenge myself to do the same, I invite you to choose to extend grace before forming conclusions.

Lessons are everywhere, just waiting to be learned. As we embark on this new year, I pray that we have eyes to see, hearts willing to learn, and the humility to grow.