Music Monday: “The Truth” By Megan Woods
by: Debbie Waltz
It’s hard to believe this is the last week of Ruth Chou Simon’s Now, Not Yet Bible Study. The Bible serves as a concrete testimony to God’s enduring faithfulness to his children throughout generations. He not only remains faithful but also demonstrates a deep personal interest in every aspect of our lives. Last week’s study delved into the profound personal transformation of Paul, who underwent a significant change from persecuting the faith to wholeheartedly embracing it. Though the story of the Apostle Paul is extreme, it shows how much God loves us and how far he’ll go to accomplish His will in our lives.
Here’s a little background on Paul (formerly named Saul): As a member of the Sanhedrin, Saul was devoted to his culture and “religion.” He believed that keeping the laws was essential to maintaining a “godly” lifestyle and remaining one of God’s chosen people. Before he became blind on the road to Damascus, Saul asked the high priest to charge him with the task of bringing all the Christians back to face the charges against them. He didn’t like what Christians were doing and was afraid this new faith would cause an uprising. After his healing, Saul (Paul) sings a different tune, though.
But who wouldn’t??
However, there is more to this miracle than just the restoration of his vision. It’s more about how Jesus meets him. Stay with me here. Several accounts in Acts (Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-11 just to name a few) give us various details on his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road. It’s interesting to note that in both these encounters, only Saul sees Jesus, and the two people accompanying him do not hear the conversation. Even though the motive is left unstated, I imagine Jesus is using this as an opportunity to convey a message. By ensuring Saul is the sole witness to His presence, he demonstrates his genuine concern for the people rather than simply showcasing His power. That would hinder the development of relationships.
As Paul embarks on his journey of faith, we observe a gradual shift in his perspective. As his pride diminishes, he realizes how God’s power is actively shaping his circumstances. Many Christians know about God’s response to Paul’s request to “remove” the thorn, but they overlook his reply. Paul writes: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ. I am content with my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (Verses 9b- 10).
Despite this, Paul, like any other human, occasionally found himself at odds with fellow Christians. Acts 15: 36-41 recounts the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas regarding John Mark’s involvement in their upcoming journey. Paul, still wary of John Mark’s past abandonment, argued against his inclusion. Frustrated by their inability to agree, the two parties reluctantly decide to go their separate ways. He encounters those same types of feelings entering the town of Ephesus (Acts 19) but handles it differently. Why? Because he recognizes God’s hand in this situation. Even though he doesn’t delve into his experiences in Acts, he extensively discusses them in numerous letters to the Corinthians. In I Corinthians 16:9, Paul writes: “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” (NLT)
Try to remember that as you go about your week. Rather than perceiving obstacles as hurdles, reframe them as opportunities for spiritual development and strengthening your relationship with God. Megan’s song “The Truth” resonates with its powerful lyrics, reminding us that our identity is shaped by the perspective we choose. Do we have faith in the truth of God’s word, which tells us that we were designed with a purpose in mind? Or will we trust the opinions of others to determine our worth?
You can access Megan Wood’s “The Truth” here: