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"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, 

for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, 

and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

John 16:13

(Please note: With everything happening around us right now, especially after the murder of George Floyd, I will definitely find a time to share my thoughts - many of which I haven't processed yet. This will be a three-part post, starting with thoughts I've had during the Covid-19 crisis. In the meantime, I'd urge you to check out a post by Christianity Today from February on 25 Black Theologians Who Have Grown Our Faith.)


Two years ago, after our son was born, we decided to go see my aunt and uncle, who live in France. In order to get there, we could either take the 'ordinary' route, following the highway, or we could go the 'direct' (and scenic) route through the Black Forest.

My mother-in-law was visiting, and so I thought it would be a wonderful experience to show her the beauty of the Black Forest. We were prepared for the way - or so we thought. When we got to the Black Forest, all of our phones had died and we were literally stuck. It was so bad that I had to buy a real map at a petrol station.

We did get there eventually, but it had me thinking a lot about how dependent I (and we) have become on our technology to lead the way. Not just in terms of getting from A to B, but in our every day life as well.

It starts in the morning with the sources of information we choose to feed us. I'm learning more and more to simply start the day by first reading God's word. You've probably heard the cheesy saying that Jesus is our true north. As cheesy as it sounds, it's a truth we can hold on to and trust.

Here are three points to consider while navigating through these changing times:

1. Gullibility (The Fool)

The Old Testament devotes a lot of time to the topic of foolish living.

Here's one for you:

"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." (Proverbs 18:2)

Recently, a friend of mine got into a heated social media debate over an article published by Christianity Today on gullibility. The author, Ed Stetzer, speaks about bearing false witness and our mistrust in the media and the government.

The former is something that we as Christians have been charged not to do. It is part of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:16) and it is also tackled in Proverbs:

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Nowadays, many Christians are too easily tempted to take part in a 'secular' tug-of-war. Too often, one only ends up looking like that fool described above. And this is dangerous.

For one, each one of us is an ambassador for Christ on this earth. If we engage in the spreading of facts that are utterly unsubstantiated, then how will another person take us and our faith seriously? Jesus asks us to rise above. To be better!

Personally, I must admit that I've often dipped my toes into the vast ocean of conspiracy theories. One thing is certain: I always come out feeling the same way - cynical, disheartened and full of distrust.

By no means am I arguing that a Christian shouldn't check the news or browse through his media feed. We know that the secular world we live in has long embraced a post-truth approach to all things that matter. Therefore, it has become more difficult than ever to fully know which source is 100% correct.

In moments like that, it's comforting to remember that Jesus sent us the great comforter and the spirit of truth.  

If we're able to help it, then let us not play the part of the Fool. And let us help those around us who are continually tempted to play that part. Let us show them another way.

2. Trust (The Waymaker)

One of our son's many night-time stories is a book about a koala bear that struggles with letting go and is happy to cling on to the familiar. He literally holds on to his tree, until a woodpecker causes the tree to fall. Despite the tree falling, the koala still holds on to the very end. His friends come to help him up, and upon letting go of his branch, the koala realises how the tree (the familiar & comfortable) has held him back from enjoying life to the full.

In this time, a lot of people's trees have been pecked down. They've held on to something that cannot give them any long-term security. Unfortunately, many friends have had to endure difficult financial spells. Others even lost loved ones. The pain that these people feel is unfathomable and I don't intend to belittle their experience.

Like the koala, we all face a breaking point and are confronted with the question: 'Is this it?'

Jesus offers you a package-deal and says: 'No. This is not it. There's so much more!'

Most people are looking for an authentic spiritual experience. A way to heal their wounds, their pain. They are looking for assurance and they're looking for someone they can fully trust.

Jesus can step into your life and do that. He is looking for those who fully trust him.

Our relationship with Him could perhaps be described with the image of a tandem bike. We tell Jesus: 'Yes, I trust you...but you keep on pedaling, while I steer us in the right direction.'

Let Jesus take control and allow Him to steer your life in His direction! This doesn't mean that you have lost all control. Jesus still invites you to pedal together with Him.

This analogy cannot completely sum up what a relationship with Jesus looks like. The point, however, is that we're called to trust the one who moves mountains, splits the seas, lights the way, provides food in the desert you're in, and always intends on showing you His promised land.

3.  Discernment (The Wise)

The anti-dote to being a Fool is to be wise. Simple!

God encourages us to learn. He's happy for us to seek the Truth. When Thomas (who became known as the Doubter) refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, he was promptly proven wrong. Thomas must have felt like a real fool when Jesus showed up.

You don't have to worry that God will be offended by you consuming knowledge. It's only when knowledge becomes your God that it's time for you to start worrying.

God calls us to fear Him, for He is all-knowing. Any question you might have...God knows! And He knows the answer to that question. That is a frightening realisation and only makes it clearer that He is worthy of our worship and praise.

In His infinite knowledge, God still allowed us to attain knowledge. But there's a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Mike Kington put it like this: 

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."

As Christians, we know that wisdom (and discernment) is something that only comes through the Holy Spirit. In Proverbs, Solomon guarantees us that everyone can find knowledge:

"…if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:4-5)

When we seek to understand the reverent fear of God and to know Him more, I'm convinced that our wisdom will increase. Knowing God more means having a heart that is open for council. It is an attitude that allows you to go before God and accept Him as your King and Ruler. Unlock your heart to the treasures the Holy Spirit is going to show you.

We're privileged to live in a time where knowledge, information, and facts are so readily available. I cannot imagine what life was like pre-Smart Phone. Perhaps we spent less time worrying (and posting) about the state of the world and spent more time doing something to change its state.

In light of recent events, my prayer for us is that we have a daily encounter with the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us wisdom for the difficult situations we find ourselves in.


Help us, O Lord, to navigate the treacherous waters that swell up around us. 
And if it be your will, take us back to safes shores!
Open our hearts and let us speak in the tongue of compassion and grace. 
Let our voices bring life and cut through the cacophony of the enemy 
to shine light into the darkness
to give hope to the hopeless
to raise the dead to life
and to glorify you above all other things.
Give us heavenly wisdom to comfort all our fears and doubts.