So…I wonder how many of you spend hours trying to come up with “April Fool’s” tricks. You know what that means. You try to trick someone into believing something that is not true. I was never good at this because my face always gave me away. These are meant to be fun twists of the truth…as opposed to those who intentionally try to “fool” or lie to people for their own personal gain.
Many years ago, I worked in a print shop downtown on Euclid Avenue. One of my jobs was to deliver the printed materials around town. On a particular day, while I was out making deliveries, there was a construction project happening on the street (19th) next to our dock. As I approached the corner there was a barricade preventing thru traffic. I stopped, got out and moved the barrier. I then got back in and moved the car onto the side street and get out to put the barrier back. Well…apparently, I did not put the car in park. So, I watched as the driverless car drove right thru the front window into the printshop lobby! Needless to say, I thought I would be looking for a new job.
I went to the boss and said, “I am so sorry, I’m not sure what happened but the car went thru the window.” He said to me, “Did you see that construction truck lose a piece of material that went thru our window?” I said “No, it was me that watched your delivery car go thru the window!” He again said, “Did you see that construction truck lose a piece of material that went thru our window?” I am now confused and very loudly said, “I got out of the car with the engine running and did not put it in park and it drove itself thru the window!” Well he smiled and once again said “Did you see that construction truck lose a piece of material that went thru our window?” I got the point! He did not care about the truth…all he wanted was to create his own truth in order to get an insurance claim from a construction company!
I learned a lot that day about the value of the truth! Truth by definition is based on fact and reality. Unfortunately, in today’s world there seems to be no absolute truth. People are searching for the truth in all the wrong places. They seek truth in culture, tradition, emotions, personal desires. That’s a big problem! Especially in these uncertain and ever-changing times.
We all need to gather and respond to the truth about the coronavirus, latest info on job and school closings, and how to get government stimulus checks. But we know that there is a problem. Like my old boss, there are many money hungry people looking to take advantage of us…to lie and twist the system to swindle you out of your money. So we need to be careful. There are many rumors and much false information out there, so we need to find the sources that can be trusted with the truth about tis pandemic. I would suggest places like the local news and Coronavirus.ohio.gov or cdc.gov/coronavirus.
More importantly, we need to know the source for the TRUTH to all of life’s issues and questions! The TRUTH that sets you free! That TRUTH changes everything, gets you through the storms of life, gives you Hope, Joy, Peace and purpose. That TRUTH can only come from your loving Lord and Savior. You will find that TRUTH in your Bible, in online worship at www.royred.org/onlineservices, Devotional books, or calling your pastor.
This TRUTH will protect you from the deadly disease called sin. It will set you free from anxiety, depression and fear.
It’s interesting that when we are looking for the truth…Jesus says of Himself in John 14: 6…Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
He is the TRUTH…He will show you the WAY…and in Him we find LIFE!
So…have fun today with “April Fools” tricks that are fun and harmless but at all times seek the life-giving TRUTH that can only be found in Jesus!
I said that the truth is found in God’s Word, so here are some verses about the real truth. Read them over a few times, let God speak to you thru His Word. May they bring Love, Peace and Joy that can only be found in your loving Lord and Savior.
- John 1:14…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- John 6:14…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
- Psalm 25:5…Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
- Psalm 4:8… Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
- Psalm 4:15…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
- 2 Timothy 2:15… Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
- 1 John 1:8-9… If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 3:18… Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
What is the Truth? The Truth is that God hand made you…you are His child…God Loves you unconditionally…He wants to spend eternity with you. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sins. You are forgiven and have new life. He will see you through every storm you face. Trust in that TRUTH!
Lord…As your children, we come to you in prayer trusting you as our all Loving Father. Lord we are anxious about this virus and its collateral damage. Lord be with those suffering from the disease, from lost jobs and financial struggles, from loneliness and isolation. Protect those who are out there every day serving us. Be with doctors, nurses, pharmacist, police, fire, truck drivers, mail carriers, restaurant and store workers, nursing home and hospice workers. Lord the TRUTH is that we live in a broken world…but the TRUTH is that you Love us unconditionally. May we find our Hope and Peace in your word. Encourage us to check in on our neighbors and family, to perform random acts of kindness, and to be grounded in your Word. Amen.