Truth Telling

Several years ago I was having a conversation with a fellow in our lab about faith. We were speaking about prophets, and he was surprised that anyone would think that prophets could still be found today. In his faith, there was a time of prophets, and that time has passed.

I read two devotionals this morning written by Harriet Jane Olson in Disciplines 2011. She writes, "In the New Interpreter's Bible commentary, Dr. Dvid Peterson notes that prophets are 'boundary figures, representing God to humans and humans to God.'" I can infer, from her writing, that she would disagree with the person I mention above. We can all serve as prophets. She goes on to say that we attend to the things of God, watching for God, and then we attempt to discern if we are hearing from God. After that, we speak. "We see God at work in our world, and we must name it."

We listen for God, watch for God, and discern the path onto which God is leading us. We are, as Bible study teachers have taught me, fulfilling the role of a prophet when we tell forth the truth of God. It's not future-telling, it's truth-telling.

So, what about those uncomfortable moments when we say nothing? Are there times when it is more comfortable to remain silent instead of speak the truth of God? I'm not talking about the times when we aren't sure, but I'm talking about those time when we are absolutely sure, and say nothing.

Are we answering our calling then? Or are we failing to be disciples?