It’s been said that “rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scales.” One of our greatest failings as humans is our propensity to be overly critical of others. Judging how our society has evolved in embracing the art of personal destruction not just in political seasons but also in our everyday interactions. One need only look into a mirror to find it. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we all must confess that at one time or another we’ve built ourselves up by tearing others down.
One of my favorite passages in scripture is found in Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 7 verses 1–5:
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so shall you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”
The following poem, penned by an anonymous author, bids that we busy ourselves looking into our own life’s mirror when searching for faults to call out. Believe me, we’ll find plenty there.
If you were busy being kind,
Before you knew it, you would find,
You’d soon forget to think ‘twas true
That someone was unkind to you.
If you were busy being glad,
And cheering people who were sad,
Although your heart might ache a bit,
You’d soon forget to notice it.
If you were busy being good,
And doing just the best you could,
You’d not have time to blame some man
Who’s doing just the best he can.
If you were busy being right,
You’d find yourself to busy quite
To criticize your neighbor long
Because he’s busy being wrong.
We all have weaknesses. But I have figured that others have put up with mine so tolerantly that I would be less than fair not to make a reasonable discount for theirs. – William Allen White
Have an AWE-full weekend!
William “Bill” Bacque