20 October – A Member of Petersfield Quakers: The Way, the Truth and the Light

The Way, the Truth and the Light

‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’ must be one of the most misquoted phrases from the Bible. Often ‘Light’ is quoted instead of ‘Life’. But the misquotation is actually quite meaningful, which may be why it persists.

A way, be it a method or a route, has to be learned if we are to reach our objective and avoid pitfalls and dis-tractions as we go. Christ was offering a path that would lead to Heaven. There are of course many ways we can follow, and maps to help us get back on track when we stray. But anyone who has blindly followed SatNav instructions will recognise the need to take some personal responsibility and think about the consequences of the choices we make.

Today, truth seems to be out of fashion. Politicians are economical with it. PR companies present their clients in the best possible light. We tell each other ‘white lies’ to avoid inconvenient revelations – TV soap scripts are largely based on people lying to each other and then being found out. Increasingly, we live in a fantasy world where truth is what we want it to be. But without truth, there can be no morality, no sense of right and wrong and no true love or respect.

Then there is the light. When we ‘see the light’, we realise something, it ‘dawns on us’. When we see that of God in nature, we are inspired to believe, we become enlightened. When our souls are uplifted by worship, the world seems brighter.

From Quaker ‘Advices and Queries’: ‘Remember Christianity is not a notion, but a way.’ ‘Appreciate that doubt and questioning can also lead to spiritual growth and a greater awareness of the Light that is in us all’.