True Family

Have you read the newly released memoir by retired gymnast Dominique Moceanu?  Moceanu stole the hearts of the American public and the world while competing in the 1996 Olympics.  She and her team won Gold for the United States for the first time in history.  Her book is called Off Balance, a clever title relating a necessary skill in her sport to the real dysfunction of her childhood.  Perhaps the most publicized revelation in Moceanu's book is the discovery of a sister she never knew she had.  Jennifer was born when Dominique was 6 years old.  Their parents concealed giving Jennifer up for adoption entirely from their older daughter.  It was not until Dominique's mid-twenties that she and her other sister, Christina, learned of and reunited with Jennifer.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia [source]

My whole world in 1996 seemed to revolve around the Magnificent Seven (as the women's artistic gymnastics team was dubbed by the media).  Living in the suburbs of Atlanta made my excitement all the more real.  My own journey in the gymnastics world had ended the year before; my family came into some tough times and could not commit the time or money to this demanding sport.  Still I remember trying to stay flexible, do my handstands properly, and daydream about tumbling across springy blue carpet.  I would also imagine meeting these Olympians, my heroes.

On one occasion, I actually saw the Magnificent Seven.  My grandparents treated me to tickets for a rhythmic gymnastics event.  I could not tell you any details about the ribbon twirling or juggling or whatever other skills these batch of gymnasts performed that day.  No, my memories of that day only yield the image of the young victors~ Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kerri Strug, and of course Dominique Moceanu.  They made an appearance to support the other competing gymnasts and greet a stadium full of fans.  I wondered if I could get close to them and tell them that I was a gymnast, too.  I was awestruck.  Even though they were teeny tiny athletes, they were giants in my mind.  They were living proof that even a child can be a champion.  That's what they symbolized to me.

Dominique competing in the 1996 Olympics on the beam [source]

Returning to the subject of her book, Dominique's story resonated with me.  It is a cautionary tale about parents deceiving their children.  While the secret sister may seem like the most shocking element, I was astounded to learn how her parents and coaches concealed her achievements and earnings from her.  Rather than living in a dream world I believed the "princess" of gymnastics had, Dominique was in a veritable hell of uncertainty, insecurity, and confusion.  And while it may just be a book that provides a window into one American stage parent story, I began to wonder about how different her life could have been had the adults in her life been honest.  This is a lesson to be considered by all, not just parents.  The truth has the power to bless or crush. Truth really matters.  Since my foundation for truth is Christianity, that's where I'll start.  

The first thing that pops into my mind on the subject of truth is that oft used quote, "The truth will set you free".  This is a direct quote from Jesus; did you know that?  The Bible is commonly believed to hold worldly words of wisdom like "Money is the root of all evil" and "God helps those who help themselves".  Scour the scripture, and you shorn't find either of these quotes word for word (shorn't happens to be my favorite non-word meaning should but won't).  The second expression has no roots in scripture at all, and the money proverb is extracted from its proper biblical context.  The full verse (with emphasis added by me) reads:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Clearly, money has no intrinsic quality making it good or bad; it's just paper.  It's how we use it that determines whether we make good or bad choices.  I use this as a prelusion for considering "The truth will set you free."  Here is Jesus' full statement in John 8:31-36:

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Since I'm a grammar fanatic and treasure the meaning of words, I want to break this down a little bit.  This is a conditional statement: first something must happen, then another something will follow.  In this case Jesus says to hold to his teachings.  So first I must read about what he taught.  The magical conditional then follows.  It reveals that learning Jesus' teachings lead to knowing truth.  That may sound like I've paraphrased what he just said so it doesn't seem too radical.  Now what may offend or ought to shock some is the claim that Jesus is making here.  His teachings are truth and they are powerful.  How powerful?  I'm glad you asked!  Knowing his teaching grants an individual freedom.

Wait a minute~ now I have a problem.  First, what am I being set free from?  Great question; wish I could claim I came up with it, but some of the Jewish disciples asked Jesus right then.  This is what they asked:

“We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

I hope these guys were talking about only themselves at this point; the Jews had most certainly been slaves a time or two before Christ's coming:  400 years in Egypt (see Exodus), a great period of time under Assyria (found in 2nd Kings), and of course 70 years in Babylon (also 2nd Kings & 2nd Chronicles & Jeremiah & Daniel).  Perhaps they weren't slaves at this point in history, but they certainly were being occupied by Rome. That would probably have been my reply had I been Jesus.  I would have literally thought about national freedom or physical bondage.  Because his message is for individuals, Jesus replied,

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Alright, just to keep our conditionals straight~ Jesus is saying that learning what he teaches leads to truth which leads to freedom from sin~ that is, spiritual slavery.  Is this how you've ever interpreted the expression "The truth will set you free"?  Does its true meaning surprise you?  Up pops another problem~ how does a man set free the hearts of other men?  That is something I don't believe I can explain to you; it's something you have to experience for yourself.  I will point out a word of encouragement for you.  My final conditional statement~ if you can accept that Jesus' teachings are true and you want to be set free from sin, then you are invited to be a permanent member in Jesus' family.  Seeking truth is not going on a philosophical quest for enlightenment; it's joining a heavenly family who so desires to have you as their son or daughter, as their brother or sister.

As I wrote earlier, the truth has the power to bless or to crush.  I testify that seeking truth in Jesus Christ is a blessing.  He teaches me about God and sets me free continually from sin so that I can be his sister.  I will leave you with a passage that I pray will help you believe that God is the source of truth.  Here's what the gospel writer John said about Jesus:

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.  He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.  Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.  For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.  The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life... [John 3:31-36]