The other night I watched an indie-film adaptation of the short story book Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, by David Foster Wallace. I know very little about the author other than what I’ve read from wikipedia, but the movie closes with one of his own quotes that I have been chewing on ever since:
The truth will set you free but not until it is done with you.
In my pursuit of spiritual freedom, I recognize that complete and perfect freedom is not obtainable overnight… we are pressing towards our completion, allowing God to transform our very being. This is where we find freedom, and how the truth ultimately sets us free. What is perhaps most profound about this statement is the heaviness the man whom quoted it lived with. In 2008, at the age of 46, David Foster Wallace committed suicide. For David, there was no freedom from his internal depression; the emotional pain that tormented his soul won out over whatever truth had a hold of him. We could debate whether David allowed the Truth to enter his life or not… but I doubt any of us are in a position to have that discussion.
But it does beg the question: Am I letting the Truth hold me? Does the Truth penetrate my the depths of my soul in such a way that I allow Him to transform me?
Is there a certain truth you’re wrestling with lately? (don’t let it knock your hip out of socket!).
no, nothing particular at this time. Just a constant self-examination about certain aspects especially as it relates to how much our faith has integrated with our culture and where the lines have blurred away from truth too much.
Wow. Someone I have known at work for 20 years… his brother committed suicide after years of struggling with depression. I find this an interesting quote at this time…