TRUTH . . . IS SOMETIMES HIDDEN

A child introduced me to the Magic Eye books.

They contain coloured prints in very intricate patterns, which although intriguing in themselves, when stared at with eyes leisurely focused just beyond the surface of the page, reveal a hidden secret.

If we develop patience and the ability to relax - or be still - and look beyond the obvious outward appearance, something magical happens. The pictures are suddenly revealed as three dimensional and often incredibly beautiful. Life is like that.

Over-concentration is a great hindrance, but while some concentrate too hard, others are content with just the surface view. Neither experience the hidden revelations that at times can be staggering. Thankfully, being a bit of a dreamer, I can usually 'see through' and experience what others, for all their intensity, cannot see.

Truth is the reality that lies beyond the surface appearance. When Jesus said 'I am the Truth', he was not claiming to be the ultimate embodiment of accurate doctrine or dogma, rather that he was the key to the very essence of being, the kernel of true life.

His closest friend John stated, 'We beheld (kept looking at) his glory, he was full of grace and truth', He said this after Jesus had turned one hundred and fifty gallons of water into wine; but that wasn't what hit his disciples so forcibly. They looked beyond the evident occurrence and saw through to the real miracle. It was that Jesus slipped away without anyone knowing that he had saved the day. He let the bridegroom get all the credit. He is like that, such grace is part of his glory - and that is the truth!

Truth is not to be found lying carelessly around on the surface of a holy book or in a religious building; it is the unveiling of the heart of a 'God who hides himself'.

© Maurice Smith 2004

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