Hello, Holy Spirit Devotional Week 18 – Hello, Truth

The Gap Between Us

There he was, now leaving as a woman. As my 48-year-old self got into the car, my 10-year-old self hugged him. He looked the same, but his new identity, feminine yet masculine, was now his permanent attire. My mind still saw him as a man, but my heart longed for the father figure I knew. My love for him wasn’t enough to change the truth. He was a man, not a woman. And though he asked me to call him Carolina, I couldn’t do it.

Heavy bags of rocks filled the gap between him and me. Each one was labeled with emotions: love, fear, hope, loss. The weight of those rocks wasn’t just his burden but mine too. I wanted to reach him, to bridge the gap, but truth, solid and unyielding, stood between us.

“This is who I am,” he said.

Silence lingered between us like a third presence, unwelcome yet undeniable. I saw him resign to the reality that I wouldn’t bend.

He sighed. “I get it,” he said. “What’s true for you is true for you, and what’s true for me is true for me.”

Hello Truth: Absolute Truth: Unchanging and Unyielding

Relativism avoids conflict by saying, “You have your truth, and I have mine.” But when truths contradict, can both be true? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Truth is not subjective; it is absolute, found in Christ. True love points others to His unchanging truth, standing firm on God’s Word while showing grace and compassion.

The Cost of Standing on Truth

Standing on God’s truth may not always invite others to experience the freedom and restoration only He can offer. Expect division when standing for Truth, but remember, it doesn’t mean the absence of love. Truth may create discomfort in the moment, but it is liberating when guided by His divine wisdom. Truth and love work together to bring transformation (Ephesians 4:15).

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Gratitude by Brandon Lake Listen on YouTube.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

– Are there areas where you’ve embraced relativism for the sake of peace?

– How can you stand on biblical truth without compromising love?

TAKE ACTION:

• Identify one situation where you’ve avoided standing for truth. Pray for courage, and take.