The Voice of Truth

Written by Dan Powell

As I went out for the morning walk with the dog today, my mind was swimming with thoughts about, you guessed it, COVID. It is a nice, clear day, and the wind felt good. I popped in my AirPods, and after careful review, chose my Spotify playlist of Christian Rock over, among other choices, jazz, classic country and 70’s rock. I’m glad I did.  

I don’t know how many people are familiar with Casting Crowns and their song “Voice of Truth,” but the lyrics focus on the story from Matthew 14 where Jesus walks on water. He walks across the lake towards his disciples. As the story unfolds, Peter realizes he is seeing Jesus and not some apparition walking across the stormy lake. Just to be sure, Peter asks to Jesus to command him to get out of the boat. Jesus does, and Peter does. After the first few steps, Peter stops looking towards Jesus and starts looking at the waves and feeling the strong wind. He immediately begins to sink.  

It’s always Peter on the wrong end of these stories, isn’t it? He’s Seinfeld’s Kramer of the disciples, more times than not taking the symbolic spiritual pratfall. In that moment of clarity near drowning brings, Peter’s only thought is to reach for the hand of Jesus, and Jesus pulls him up. Peter is saved, but not until he is rebuked with the stinger of, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

Man, do I relate to Peter. I am afraid. I doubt. I am afflicted with anxiety and guilt. I want to have faith. I want to trust and be confident. I want to get out of the boat and ignore the crashing waves. Of all of the verses in the Bible, I have probably gone over this one ten times more than any other. I always go right past verse 27 (“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid”) and straight to Peter jumping out of the boat and sinking under the rough waters. Peter obviously missed verse 27 too! And, the words “You of little faith” often echo in my head.

Well, the waves of COVID are strong. The winds of panic are whipping. And, I am underwater looking up, not for the comfort from above, but for the control I so long to have, for encouraging words from the news, and for stocked grocery shelves. As in the lyrics of the Casting Crowns song, there are lots of voices calling out to me. Much like strong currents, and stormy waters, a virus that has reached pandemic levels is something to take seriously. To top it off, I can’t really swim. I have taken lessons, but never mastered the skill. And, I have had that experience of being in the water and not really in control. I have sunk.

Like Peter, at that moment where all that matters is getting his head above water for his next breath of air, I know I need to look up for a strong example and a source of comfort. I will take advice to keep my family safe, but there are so many voices. They are human voices, and they are all fallible. But, as the lyrics go, “the voice of truth tells me a different story.”  “The voice of truth says do not be afraid.”

As I wind down my walk, I hear the resolve of the singer saying, “I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.” For a moment, I feel the confidence and relief, and am willing to take those first few steps. Like the very human and fallible Peter, I will continue to be on the wrong end of the story, over and over. I know I won’t end up being the “rock” on which a church is built, but maybe I can find more solid footing. I will promise myself (and ask you to keep reminding me) to continue to look for that saving hand. And, maybe, just maybe, I will have the strength I need in the moment to take the next breath. Peace be with you.  And all honor and glory be to God.