We get quite proficient at hiding most of our sins ...but what if every time we lied, our nose grew longer??
With something that obvious, for everyone to see, you'd think there'd be a high motivational factor ...encouraging us to change, perhaps attempting to remedy the situation.
Yes, the obvious solution would be to quickly begin telling the truth.
But, a nose knows little more than what it smells. And when a situation begins to smell bad, we often try to get out of the stench as quickly as possible ...and sadly, that often means making something up.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
But what we have today, too often resembles the riddle of 'theTruth-tellers & the Liars'.
A stranger travels down an unfamiliar road. He had not seen any traffic in miles, nor any homes or structures of any kind. Finally, he sees a building ahead, and as he approaches, a person is seen walking out towards the road ...actually right out in the road. It is a uniformed person ...a man, who holds forward the palm of his hand, gesturing for the traveler to stop.
Upon stopping, the traveler waits for the sheriff to approach his car.
The sheriff speaks with a low, authoritative voice, "Did you see the sign back there?"
The traveler politely admits, "Yes, but I didn't understand it."
The sheriff boldly states, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But, since you are obviously new around these parts, I will explain before you slip up and ask yer first question. The sign says that all strangers are only entitled to ask one question to only one person. And since you qualify as a stranger, and I've seen none stranger than you ...anyway, you are only allowed to ask one question, and that question cannot be asked of me. So, don't slip and ask me any questions."
The traveler smiles, "Thank you, sheriff!"
The sheriff grumbles, "Don't you go thankin' me ...I'm the law in this town, and whether I like it, or not, I'm the one responsible for makin' sure this is done right. There is a junction that runs through the town ...home to both the Truth-tellers and the Liars. One thing can be said of both is that they are both thoroughly and equally consistent ...the Truth-tellers always tell it straight, and the Liars would seem to rather die than ever tell the truth. Trouble is, they look so much alike that you can't tell 'em apart. Them Truth-tellers are a friendly bunch, but them Liars are a vicious sort ...and if you take the wrong turn at the junction, they have a trap further down the road, waiting to ambush you. Now, that's all I kin tell you, so let's move along ...they all act friendly, but you have to choose which one you want to ask your one question to."
Upon stopping, the traveler waits for the sheriff to approach his car.
The sheriff speaks with a low, authoritative voice, "Did you see the sign back there?"
The traveler politely admits, "Yes, but I didn't understand it."
The sheriff boldly states, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse. But, since you are obviously new around these parts, I will explain before you slip up and ask yer first question. The sign says that all strangers are only entitled to ask one question to only one person. And since you qualify as a stranger, and I've seen none stranger than you ...anyway, you are only allowed to ask one question, and that question cannot be asked of me. So, don't slip and ask me any questions."
The traveler smiles, "Thank you, sheriff!"
The sheriff grumbles, "Don't you go thankin' me ...I'm the law in this town, and whether I like it, or not, I'm the one responsible for makin' sure this is done right. There is a junction that runs through the town ...home to both the Truth-tellers and the Liars. One thing can be said of both is that they are both thoroughly and equally consistent ...the Truth-tellers always tell it straight, and the Liars would seem to rather die than ever tell the truth. Trouble is, they look so much alike that you can't tell 'em apart. Them Truth-tellers are a friendly bunch, but them Liars are a vicious sort ...and if you take the wrong turn at the junction, they have a trap further down the road, waiting to ambush you. Now, that's all I kin tell you, so let's move along ...they all act friendly, but you have to choose which one you want to ask your one question to."
The problem with today's society ...is that they don't simply tell a lie or tell the truth. Often there is no absolute offered, and that makes it in some ways worse because often trust and prejudice is built upon the same thing ...experience, and circumstances.
What is the greatest lie Pinocchio could have told?
He could have said, "Such wickedness was done to me. My nose grows longer each time I tell the truth."
How many of us would not only believe him, but would have compassion for him?
******************************************************************
It may be helpful if our nose was an accountability partner ...but, we get in trouble often for putting our nose where it shouldn't be. More true even is when we put our mouth where it shouldn't be. But, there are times that we should speak up ...in love.
Yes, our nose does not usually give us away, but though we can hide ourselves from most of those we know ...we can't hide from God, even if we claim not to know Him. It serves us better if we do know Him. He not only has made us a 'real boy' ...we can expect to become a real man.
(Oh, yes, about the question in the riddle ...well, there are slightly different versions, but I believe you should ask, "Which road do you usually recommend people not travel down?" The weary traveler tried to look into the young man's eyes, but more important, he watched carefully as the young man pointed down one of the roads. The traveler politely thanked the young man and waited for him to depart, before traveling down the other road. The more I think about this, the more I seem to be confused about my certainty. The only path to take is the one leading to Jesus ...and I'm certain about that one.)
******************************************************************
It may be helpful if our nose was an accountability partner ...but, we get in trouble often for putting our nose where it shouldn't be. More true even is when we put our mouth where it shouldn't be. But, there are times that we should speak up ...in love.
Yes, our nose does not usually give us away, but though we can hide ourselves from most of those we know ...we can't hide from God, even if we claim not to know Him. It serves us better if we do know Him. He not only has made us a 'real boy' ...we can expect to become a real man.
(Oh, yes, about the question in the riddle ...well, there are slightly different versions, but I believe you should ask, "Which road do you usually recommend people not travel down?" The weary traveler tried to look into the young man's eyes, but more important, he watched carefully as the young man pointed down one of the roads. The traveler politely thanked the young man and waited for him to depart, before traveling down the other road. The more I think about this, the more I seem to be confused about my certainty. The only path to take is the one leading to Jesus ...and I'm certain about that one.)
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