I heard about a very strange occurrence from one of my colleagues the other day. It happened at a picnic during a class outing. One of the students insisted that she could smell hand sanitizer from a water bottle that many of the students shared (I know it sure sounds disgusting!). At the same time, another student discovered that his hand sanitizer was completely empty. “It was full when I left school!” He insisted.

Within minutes several students started to complain of upset stomachs. Some even began vomiting! It was a real epidemic!

The teacher immediately called Poison Control.

Much later the teacher discovered that this epidemic was caused purely by the power of suggestion. There never was any hand sanitizer in the water bottle! Once this was discovered, the students recovered quickly! I hope these kids never share water bottles again!

Lies are also an epidemic. What is the cure? Truth: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, NIV2)

So often we let ourselves be convinced by the evil one that we are scum, real nobodies. Don’t let him fool you! He doesn’t even have any hand sanitizer! Only truth will set us straight! Every one of us were created for a noble purpose, and our Heavenly Father loves us to the core of our beings: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jer 31:3b, NIV2)

After all, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal 5:1, NIV2) Only lies will separate us from freedom!

For 80 years, Anthony Flew was a hardened atheist, the most outspoken sceptic in the world. He published 30 books about the non-existence of God. Then the unheard-of happened. This ardent atheist converted to theism when he was eighty years old. He became the source of huge controversies.

What changed his mind? Truth! As he was studying DNA, he discovered the complexity of the arrangements which are needed to produce life. This convinced him that only intelligence could provide such complexity.

We may believe of what we consider is truth, but more often than not, it isn’t. Only one could proclaim: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NIV2)

By the way, would you like a sip of water from my water bottle?

What’s that smell?

DNA!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Alive” devotional series, please click here.)