Daily Devotional

In February of 2015 a single question took the internet by storm…“Is the dress blue and black or white and gold?” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s a picture…

If you’re like me, you might look at that and wonder what the controversy is. Clearly the dress is the color combination that you see. But let me ask you, what colors do you see? Is it blue and black or white and gold? If you have anyone around you, ask them how they see it. Do they agree?
It’s not as cut and dry as it may seem. My wife sees the dress as blue and black, while I see it as white and gold. And so, this simple dress launched countless discussions, debates, and even peer-reviewed scientific papers. Over the coming weeks many theories and studies were done regarding neuroscience, vision science, and the differences in human color perception. All of this was trying to answer how people could see something so differently.

Here’s the thing, we might all have an opinion of how we see this dress, but the fact of the matter is there IS a singular truth. It can’t be both blue and black and white and gold. As much as I’d like to say I’m right, the truth is, the dress is actually blue and black. Though I think I see it clearly, my very senses are betraying the truth.

In life there often seems to be many versions of truth. It’s true, some things are subjective (is it too hot or too cold, too spicy, too salty, etc.), but when it comes to THE truth about morality, spirituality, and the way to have eternal life, there is only ONE truth. No matter how certain one may be of any other way, Jesus is in fact THE only way. All roads do not lead to heaven, just as all keys on my keychain don’t unlock my front door; only one does.

This bizarre, color morphing dress has stayed in my memory over the years because I believe there are a few lessons we can learn from it:
1.) We need fellow believers in our lives: I see the dress as white and gold. If I talked to no one else, I would be convinced I was right. I need others in my life to help me see the truth.
2.) Even when I KNOW I’m right about something, I might still be wrong: I can’t help but see that dress as white and gold. I KNOW it’s white and gold because my eyes tell me it is. But I’m wrong; it’s blue and black.
3.)The only thing that makes something true is if it’s true: Some (like me) see the dress as white and gold, but that doesn’t make it true. The more people that believe something doesn’t make it more true, just as the less people believe something doesn’t make it less true. The sincerity with which someone believes something doesn’t make it more true. It’s either true or it isn’t.
4.)God’s Word is the truth: Whether it’s believed or not, whether the majority believe it or not, whether it lines up with what we think or feel, it is true.

Let’s face it, our perception of reality is not always accurate. Only God knows the full picture of reality and what is truly true. This is all the more reason that we need to spend time in His Word and rely on Him to navigate what’s true. We can know the truth on what really matters; His Word is truth.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.