The utopian thought we have with the “Occupy” movement (and other things) is the beautiful thought of “speaking truth to power.” It is so bold.

Unless, of course, it’s not.

Too often that phrase just really means, “I’m looking for a photo op.”

Speaking truth to power costs.

Ask Gandhi. Ask Martin Luther King, Jr. Ask Abraham Lincoln. (And Lincoln was “power” in a certain sense.)

Ask John the Baptist.

¹⁴ Herod the king heard about these things, because the name of Jesus had become well-known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and this is why miraculous powers are at work through him.” ¹⁵ Others were saying, “He is Elijah.” Still others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the ancient prophets.”¹⁶ But when Herod heard these rumors, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised to life.” (Mark 6:14-16, CEB)

Sometimes you speak truth to power and you lose your head. It’s not quite as glamorous then.