Truthing in Love

“But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ...”

~Ephesians 4:15 (NRSV).

Wisdom of creation commands it like this,

State of harmony mandated from on High,

Blessed or cursed dependent on the gist,

Nothing on earth allowed to defy.

Humankind must speak and behave in love,

Otherwise it finds itself deep in a snare,

These laws of Wisdom are ordained from above,

Arrogant foolishness – the only to dare.

Consequences of passion adding to trouble,

Each mistake worn as a medallion of moss,

Damage control caused at the double,

Rues the day that people were crossed.

Better it is living our truth in love,

Harmonies of grace underpinning the tide,

Added is lining of truth from above,

So it is Wisdom’s to abide.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All of life is relational. In every way that we interact with life there’s relationship portents to be considered. Where other people are not involved, we have a relationship with ourselves and our God to maintain. Never alone, in this, are we.

And if we accept this fact, and there’s no good not accepting it, we can conjure a way of living that respects all parties—ourselves included.

Love First

Relationally, there’s safety and eternal respect in love. This is anything from the mushy variety to that which is unrequited of fear. As this character quality is sown into another person (or people) or other situations it involves risk that cannot lose—“Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

It’s only a ‘risk’ because it has to be deployed; it risks rejection. But whatever cannot be rejected cannot fail. Pure love cannot feel rejected. It’s too deeply sown away from itself.

But there’s a problem with naked love. Pure love without the key complementary element of truth sees love go gooey and it’s rendered meaningless, trite and cowardly. Indeed, without a hint of truth love begins to welcome fear into its midst. That would mean it fails to be love.

Then Truth

From relationships’ perspective, too much truth is dangerous. It must be seasoned appropriately because dealing with human beings is a tenuous experience. People are too easily hurt—it’s a fact of life.

Per the poem, if we have a lining of truth complementing our underpinning patient grace we’re set to succeed in our relationships. Truth is knife-edge. It must be present, but at perfect situational accord. Not many situations bear truth well, so it’s like salt—a little goes a long way.

‘Truthing’ in Love

Concepts of responsible love are best to involve our sprinkling of a loving approach with delectable portions of truth, tipped right and firm.

Sometimes people are devoid of love and their loveless truth crashes into others’ lives. Our ‘passion’ is tempered by patient love. But as soon as truth scampers love becomes weak and fear-ridden.

Truthing in love—that fine balance—is the productive nexus of all relationships.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.