At that time, Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews feast of tabernacles was at hand. And his brethren said to, him: “Pass from hence and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see thy works which thou dost. For there is no man that doth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, manifest thyself to the world.” For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said to them: “My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you: but me it hateth, because I give testimony of it, that the works thereof are evil, Go you up to this festival day: but I go not up to this festival day, because my time is not accomplished.” When he had said these things, he himself stayed in Galilee. But after his brethren were gone up, then he also went up to the feast, not openly, but, as it were, in secret. The Jews therefore sought him on the festival day and said: “Where is he?” And there was much murmuring among the multitude concerning him. For some said: “He is a good man.” And others said: “No, but he seduceth the people.” Yet no man spoke openly of him, for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-13

Good or bad, people will talk about someone who openly speaks the truth.

Especially when it comes to an opinion that goes against something that is popular, but harmful. Nobody does anything secretly and seeks to be known at the same time. It defeats the purpose of “secret”–that is, unless the intention is to get caught.

Nothing can be done in secret that doesn’t eventually come to light. And the reason the world hates the truth teller isn’t because of the truth expressed, but rather because that expressing of truth points out that what’s being done is wrong, causes harm, is dishonest.

The big one for a lot of us is climate change. This week, the conservative party voted to not accept that climate change is real–at the same time, inviting people from diverse communities to join them, telling them there was a place for them, because “we need your help.”

Ironic, no?

It’s the language of addiction. I’ve heard, and continue to hear, people who are addicted to meth say the very same things. I’m not an addict–but can you help me with getting past my addiction?

And I myself am an addict. I rely on the energy produced by fossil fuel. But I speak the truth when needed: I know that I’m sick, I admit that I have the addiction, I admit that I exist in a society who’s economic system is based on the continued addiction to fossil fuel and it’s biproducts. Our society is based on a lie.

Driving a jeep doesn’t give a person a sense of value. What a person does–what they do to impact their community in a positive way, does.

My time has not yet come, but your time is always. The world cannot hate you: but it hates Me.

Recognize mental illness.

Recognize dysfunctional behavior that causes harm to others, especially when it is an attempt to hide the harm you do yourself.

Your time will come.