Blind Spots
Every morning, on my way to school, I drive through a dangerous intersection, cars zooming past me traveling north or south, while I wait my turn in the median. The kids have termed it the “concentration spot” since I require them to be totally silent until we are safely across. It’s not just the cars whizzing past me at 70 mph that makes me take it slow, but the realization that many drivers are in too much of a hurry to notice me trying to cross the highway.
My husband was commenting to our small group this morning that just like we all need to be defensive drivers and stay on the lookout for foolish people, we need to live defensively too, on the lookout for the foolish “drivers” in life.
As we perused the Proverbs, we discussed the foolish behaviors of rattling off at the mouth as if our opinion is the only one that matters and jumping to conclusions without waiting to hear the whole truth. It was easy to talk about some foolish nameless person in the world, but then the conversation got very personal. We looked at Matthew 7 and realized that we couldn’t say anything about other people’s behavior without first looking inward. It was then that my wise friend commented on the scary intersections of life.
You see, the problem with driving through dangerous intersections is that we all have blind spots. And sometimes we too quickly ignore the advice of people in the passenger seat (or back seat), who may be able to see more of the road than we can. That’s why we get into trouble in life.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults-unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Matthew 7:1-3 The Message
It’s not just that we have blind spots (that’s pretty much inevitable, since we’re human), but that we are too proud to listen to others when they point out our blind spots. That leads to a head on collision with reality, consequences and an instant lesson in humility. As we closed up our conversation, we realized that there was really just one thing that separated the fool from the wise person and that was a willingness to listen to advice and take correction.
I just hope I have the wisdom to listen up the next time someone tries to point out some of my blind spots, because in the end, I want to be a wise person, not a foolish one.
So true, Heather. How often do I think about the ‘smudge’ on other people’s faces, but realize later on how much I smudge I have on my own. Thank you for the reminder that we need to be ever mindful of our own mistakes. My I be wise to listen to others when they point me in the right direction.
Powerful reminder, bless you.
What great advice this is! I really don’t like back seat drivers but it’s important to listen to good advice. Thank you for this reminder.
Blessings,
Debbie
Oh Heather,
What a powerful and truthful devotion. I LOVE this scripture in the Message translation. Ouch. Oh, that I too would rid myself of pride. Thank you my friend. Wise words that I need. Hugs.