INTENTION “I meant to.” “I was going to.” “I wish I would have.” If you’re like me, those phrases make me wince. I have said them too often. Whatever the situation, whomever the person, whichever issue, I must make a choice, to do. Action must follow decision, set by intention. Call a friend. Set a lunch. Send a “Thank you.” Visit your parents. The investment of a few moments of time will cement a lifetime of friendships. Life is short and opportunities are few. Make deliberation, deliberate.
PRESIDENT’S DAY should cause Americans to be thankful for the U.S. Constitution. Limits on presidential powers were in part born of concern over human nature. Usurpation by any person or group could eventually destroy a nation. The unique “separation of powers” approach to authority was intended to create governmental boundaries. American citizens would do well to consider the importance of our founding documents. If nothing else, we can find common ground in acknowledging that the many should be protected from the power of the few.
ELIMINATION Yesterday in class I was encouraging students to ask questions of those who disagree with their point of view. In social media world, it is good to ask at least two: (1) Why am I always hearing about ___? (2) Why do I never hear about ___? We should want to hear competing truth claims. But if one side is never heard, there is no competition; only elimination.
I AM CONVINCED that the care you show people for their ideas, their point of view, will win a hearing for your ideas, your point of view. There is no need for anger in disagreement nor do you have to capitulate your strongly held beliefs. What’s necessary? Attentiveness. Generosity. Kindness. Winsomeness. Discernment. Prudence. Self-control.
I AM ALSO CONVINCED that communicating truth is essential in the face of claims that oppose my own. Our culture views truth as relative, often left up to individual decision for what is and is not “truth.” But I am also aware that even our desire to talk about facts, truths, or accuracy demands a standard. I am glad to have discussions with anyone whose views of “right” differ from my own. But the only reason we can even have the conversation is that we both know a standard exists.
SERIOUS I may believe that my work is critical, crucial, or important – it is one way to look at the word “serious.” But my work may also be consequential, its impact far-reaching – another way to view what I do as “serious.” It is the second meaning in Proverbs 3:35 that bears consideration. “The wise inherits honor.” Esteem and respect are given, a possession passed along – an inheritance – as a deserved consequence of an upright life. We should all be so “serious.”
RESTRAINT Sometimes I have to bite my tongue until it bleeds. There are occasions where I would love to say what I’m thinking. But Proverbs reminds me “whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (10:19) and “he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (17:27). A phrase I heard constantly in my childhood has a similar (though negative) suggestion, “Better to be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.”
RESPONSE MODE. I constantly feel the pressure. The latest ‘happening’ draws my attention. The current conversation beckons my participation. Situational politics attracts my desire to speak out. Yes, I believe I bear responsibility to bring true Truth to cultural-political concerns. But staying on mission, on task, fulfilling the role I’ve been given for my time, place, and giftedness makes me fight the fracturing nature of response mode to maintain the calling.
GOOD & BAD Do not be too quick to label something “good” or “bad.” The end of something may matter more than its beginning. [Ecclesiastes 7:8]