Along with honesty and integrity, truth is a virtue, part of a collection of character traits that converge into moral excellence, pleasing unto God.  Perhaps you’ve studied the very 12 men Jesus prayed for and assembled.  Like Military Basic Training, they were not a finished product, not even; just assembled.  One was a mouth, thought-to-mouth.  Another was all about truth, truth regardless.  And another was a liar and thief.  You might have wondered why did God-come-to-earth make these choices, good thoughts for a different time. 

About two years-plus later, Jesus said to His disciples.  “Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead.  You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.”  Well, now, that seems to be an obvious, yes?  Jesus was speaking from a sense of knowing where He would soon be, at the Cross.  “Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.  Follow Me and I’ll show you how.  Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self.  What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?  What could you ever trade your soul for?” 

Father, thank You for recording Your truths, even here with these thoughts, complete though delving into our unknown.  Show us how, train us to choose Your way, knowing us, us learning to know You; how to let You lead and us to follow, embracing You, trusting You, Your Son, Your Spirit. 

Jesus says to His disciples today, “Let Me lead. Follow Me and I’ll show you how.” Basic training.

Matthew 16:24-26