The Catholic Creativity Community

Posted By Fr. Jim Tucker on September 6, 2009

In the search for “Spoils from Egypt,” there are those in the popular culture who honestly try to make the voice of the Almighty heard loud and clear. The group Casting Crowns is one of those voices. I first heard their single “Voice of Truth” performed on Fox News Channel’s Huckabee (with Mike Huckabee on bass). It’s a great catchy song, then I sought out the lyrics (they’re embedded from eLyrics.net below). Boy, did they hit me right where it counts!

Looking at my life lately, I’m reminded of Jeremiah whom God had set out on mission to God’s people Israel, “to uproot and to tear down, to build and to plant.” (Jer 1:10) It’s quite obvious to any Christian who truly loves Jesus and wants to see His kingdom come “on earth as it is in heaven”, that there is a lot that needs to be torn down and uprooted, in order to be rebuilt and replanted. I mean the souls and attitudes, the consciences that need to be well-formed. That is part of my role as a shepherd of souls, to lead the flock away from the danger they seem to wander into headlong.

Yet because of anxiety and fear, I sweat and shake in my boots at the prospect of giving admonishment or correction. I hear voices of dissent echoing in my head. Had not the great prophets of God before me gone through similar doubts and fears? God called upon Moses to free His people from slavery in Egypt. Moses basically responded, “You know, Lord, I can’t talk too good.”(Ex. 4:10) But God would not have any excuses, and sent Moses’ brother along. Jeremiah was also called by God, but he replied, “I am too young.” Again, God would not hear excuses. “Say not, ‘I am too young’,” the Lord responds, “to whomever I send you, you shall go!” (Jer. 1:7)

Now more than ever, the truth needs to be proclaimed in a world that does not want to hear it. In fact, the world will do anything in its power to silence the voices of truth. And for me and for those sent by God, like Jeremiah, the truth of God burns within the soul and becomes a compulsion. It cannot stay in side.

So, how to overcome fear: That’s where Casting Crowns comes in. The lyrics of “Voice of Truth” point to two particular biblical passages that speak of breaking out of “comfort zones”: when Jesus beckons Peter to step out of the boat and walk on the sea toward Him (Matt. 14:22-33), and the ever-popular tale of David facing down the giant Goliath. Both Peter and David heard voices in their heads telling them they will fail again like they had so many times before, and that “you’ll never win”.

But the refrain turns this around. The voice of Truth not only admonishes the sinner to choose the correct path, but also encourages and galvanizes the prophet for his mission. How many times does Scripture repeat, “Do not be afraid”? And each and every one of them from the mouth of God and from His Son, Jesus Christ. The Servant of God, Pope John Paul II re-echoed this truth from the first day of his pontificate: “Be not afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!” What was there to be afraid of? Somehow, he knew what was coming. John Paul II spent a great amount of energy preparing us for the new millennium, seeing it as the “Springtime of the New Evangelization”.

In fact, it is a moral obligation for the prophet of God to speak the truth. St. John Vianney once maintained that he must speak the truth from the pulpit even if he knew there was a mob outside waiting to stone him afterwards.

Why? Because it is not my truth, nor your truth, but The Truth. It is for the glory of God, not of myself that I am sent!

So I must speak the truth. O Holy Spirit, grant me the strength, the fortitude to speak Your truth, regardless of the sentiment against me!

Many thanks to Casting Crowns for their witness!

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