The bumper sticker was new to me. It wasn’t clever or colorful; just two words in bold font. Question Reality. My guess is the one who stuck it to the bumper considered himself to be among the enlightened. But the message betrayed him.
By definition, reality is the quality or state of being real; something that exists necessarily. That which is real is a true, objective existence without pretense or manipulation. Reality is true regardless of opinion and recognizing it is essential to the healthy function of life. In today’s vernacular, we might say reality “is what it is”.
Questioning, on the other hand, exists to help us gain understanding. It is a worthy pursuit. But questioning with the intent to destroy truth is folly. It creates unsustainable illusions and ushers chaos into society. Truth sets us free. If the goal of our questioning is not truth, we are merely seeking to gratify something we want, even when evidence counters it. No one is served by such an endeavor. It only reveals what God warns us to guard against; the worship of self rather than the worship of the One who is Truth.
Scripture puts it this way. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:20-22
How far will we go to question reality? How willing is humanity to dismiss what is true in order to foster what is not? Denying life as God created it is a perilous choice and we seem unable to learn from history the consequences from such a practice. Remarkably God’s love and mercy continues to offer humanity the opportunity to step away from deception and embrace truth. It is the difference between walking in darkness or light and being delivered from death to life.
Questions matter. So do motives. John, the beloved disciple of Jesus had a pretty sound approach to questions. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15
When our asking is guided by the reality of Truth we gain a foundation upon which to stand, we discover contentment that flows from God’s guiding and find peace for answers that are yet to come. Embracing reality is foundational to thought, benefiting us with greater knowledge and understanding … and it just might improve the messages on our bumper stickers.