Chaplain’s Corner

Following the Way: Learning to See God’s Truth

What comes to mind when you hear the word truth?

For many of us, truth means honesty—telling the truth instead of a lie. Others might think of truth as what is real, reliable, and right. Sometimes truth is obvious. At other times, things can look true… even when they are not.

We live in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) videos, images, and messages can be incredibly convincing. Something might look real, sound real, and feel real—but still not be true. I remember last year, watching a video of rabbits jumping on a trampoline, I thought it was true!  I then had my doubts however, when the following day a new video appeared, showing kangaroos jumping on the same trampoline! It can be confusing, even unsettling, with how convincing some untruths can appear. 

So it raises an important question for all of us. How do we know what is true?

And even more importantly… How do we follow God’s truth in a world where not everything is what it seems?

Our theme this year is Following the Way, and the Bible offers us a powerful answer. In John 14:6, Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Jesus does not simply teach truth—He is the truth. When we follow Jesus, we are not just learning ideas; we are walking in what is real, right, and trustworthy. But even when Jesus was physically present on earth, people didn’t always recognise the truth in front of them.

In Luke’s Gospel, we read about two followers of Jesus walking along the road to Emmaus. They were sad and confused. They believed Jesus was gone forever and perhaps they felt let down, abandoned and disillusioned. As they walked, Jesus Himself joined them—but they didn’t recognise Him. They were talking with Jesus, walking with Jesus, and yet they could not see who He was.

Why? Because their hearts were heavy and their understanding was clouded. Jesus listened to them patiently. He gently explained the truth of God step by step. Still, they didn’t fully see—until later, when they stopped to rest and He broke bread with them. In that moment, the Bible tells us:

“Their eyes were opened.”

The truth had been with them all along—but they needed Jesus to help them see it clearly. What an important lesson for all of us.

Today, many voices are telling us what to think, what to believe, and who to trust. Some of those voices sound convincing—but not all of them are true. Just like in Jesus’ time, when people had different ideas about who He was. Some said He was just a teacher, others said He was dangerous, others said He was not God’s Son. But those ideas were not true.

So, like those before us, we must ask… Who will I listen to?

Truth matters because it shapes our lives. It helps us make good choices, treat others with kindness and fairness, know who to trust, and understand who God is. Without truth, it’s easy to head in the wrong direction—like taking the wrong road.

The good news is this: God’s truth is not hidden to confuse us. It is given to help us.

Jesus did not criticise the disciples for not understanding. He walked with them. He listened. He taught them with patience and grace. God’s truth brings clarity, peace, and hope.

So how can we follow God’s truth today?

• Listen to Jesus – through the Biblical scripture, we learn His words, His love, and His way.
• Ask questions – when something seems unclear, it’s okay to wonder and seek understanding. God can handle our questions!
• Walk together – with friends, family, teachers, and faith communities who help us grow.
• Trust God – even when we don’t have all the answers straight away.

In a world full of noise, messages, and opinions, Jesus is still the truth. He is still walking beside us, guiding us, and opening our eyes. Some things may look real but are not. But Jesus is always real, always true, and always trustworthy.

Let’s keep following the way. Amen?

God bless,

Pastor Matt Daly

College Chaplain