Contemplation

Being honest with others is hard. Being honest with yourself is sometimes next to impossible. Until you find a way to look at who you are and what you are doing, life can seem ok. I remember an episode of the t.v. show, House, where there had been a tragic accident with many injuries and even deaths. As the EMTs did triage on the wounded, a young lady cried out, pleading for help for her mother who was injured. When the doctor arrived, he noticed the woman had a metal bar stuck through her leg and she didn’t even notice it.

The young lady had a rare disorder which prevented her from feeling pain. Without self-examination, she would have bled to death had the medical personnel not intervened. This is what Jesus was trying to explain when he told the story of the speck (small particle) and log (large object) being in the eye. 

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

We can live our life with a log in our eye and never realize the harm we cause by being critical of others when we have such a major issue that remains unattended. We are directed to first deal with the issue we face before trying to point out the problems we see in others.

I can easily understand how someone could become a monk, separated from all other humanity, to spend their days contemplating who they are and what needs to change. However, that is not normal human behavior. We need others in our life who can speak truth that we can hear. Then, with love and a tender hand, nurse us back to a place of health and well-being so we can live a life full of joy and happiness, free from the guilt of past failures and hurt from past incidents.

It all starts with being aware there is a problem. The only solution to solve this is to find a place of contemplation; safe, supportive, caring, loving, encouraging, no judging; a place of peace. Oh, to find such a place is truly a gift from God.