In A Few Good Men, a soldier has died, and Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) thinks Col. Jessup (Jack Nicholson) has something to do with it. In a heated courtroom interrogation, Kaffee says he wants the truth, to which Jessup barks, “You can’t handle the truth!”

Now isn’t that the truth. But on second thought is that true?  I suppose it would be hard to handle the truth if it meant that we would have to change our beliefs and behaviors. And again it would perhaps be hard to handle the truth if it meant that the truth brought us physical harm or injury. I think in those instances it would be difficult for many to handle the truth. But I’ve discovered that persons of humility, honesty and integrity welcome the truth even when it’s hard to handle.

Handling the truth is challenging.  It is challenging because the truth has the unique ability of changing perceived narratives and cherished beliefs; you know, the way we think, the way we act and even the way we see ourselves in the world. And many persons are comfortable with how things are and resistant to anything that would alter their perceptions of reality.

Handling the truth is also transformational.  It carries us out of ourselves and into places and states that are unfamiliar and strange, while at the same time exciting and enlightening. Truth elevates the spirit and refreshes the soul. Truth awakens us from soulish slumber and dispels the darkness from the secret chambers of our hearts. Truth liberates us from deceptions and lies, and gently guides us into the light of “the real”.  Yeah, the truth will set you free.

I had a conversation with a “good” young man who got caught up in an affair. For over a year he tried to break it off, but it was one of those “Fatal Attractions”.  The affair became public, he confessed to his wife, she forgave him, and things are well.  And he said “Rev. I feel like a new man. I feel so much better now that I no longer have to carry that secret burden of guilt.”

This is exactly why truth telling is so important. People are carrying heavy burdens of misconceptions, misconstruals, denied and resisted facts without understanding why life is so frustratingly difficult. Rich and poor alike are enslaved by false narratives, naïve idealism and emphatic lies. Yes, there must be brave souls within our ranks who are willing to do the risky business of truth telling.

And it is risky business. Prophets and poets, seers and sages have been persecuted throughout all of human existence because they dared to tell the truth. Politicians and preachers, friends and acquaintances, mommas and daddies, have all felt the soul-piercing daggers from persons who could not or would not hear the truth.  But in the face of persecution and rejection truth-tellers must endure.  For real truth tellers are motivated by their love for God and humanity.

Truth tellers are not party poopers, egoist, casters of wet blankets or arrogant snobs. Truth tellers can see beyond personal passions and collective perceptions and with intelligence and spiritual insight and intuition mine the truth from the heart of God. This is who Jesus was/is.  This is what Jesus did/does. And it is this same truth that defined the personality and life of Jesus that continues to resonate from the souls of those who dare to obediently follow him. For of a truth, Jesus said, “I am the Way, Truth and life.”

It is this amazing truth that continues to enlighten lives, lift burdens and transforms souls. And it is this amazing truth that has so transformed my life and instilled within my heart a love for God, humanity and world that I will forever willingly share this truth with all who dare to listen.

And always remember, God’s Way is the Best Way.