No Explanation

When I was young I lived on excuses and explanations. If I did something wrong: there was an excuse on my lips. If I felt myself misjudged: an explanation was ready and deemed necessary. When my feelings were hurt: I needed to explain my position (though I seldom listened to that of the other side. )

When I was younger I struggled with characters who didn’t give an explanation. “In Pride and Predjudice”, Elisabeth Bennet’s refusal to try to explain herself drove me nuts. I had the same problem with “Jane Eyre” and all the other books with plots that thrive on misunderstanding and lack of explanation between characters. Later, when I was slightly more mature and would read the Bible, the lack of explanations by various characters drove me to distraction. I would sit and argue with Joseph in my mind, “Just tell him what happened, just explain things then it will be all right.” I couldn’t fathom sitting back and not explaining what really happened.

When I was newly married I would argue the slightest offense (whether his or my own) and always had a ready explanation or excuse. I had the same problem with professors in college and bosses at work. Obviously God had His work cut out for Him when He began to change that particular area of sin (and it was sin–it was selfishness and self-righteousness mixed up with straight out lies and deception.)

Eventually, through Elisabeth Elliot I believe, He challenged me to “fast” from excuses and explanations. If I was going to trust Him completely I needed to trust Him to change hearts and misconceptions. He did and I have finally, for the most part, learned to keep my mouth shut and let Him make the changes necessary, in me, in others, or in both.

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Proverbs 15:1-3

But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. Jeremiah 11:20

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.
~Psalm 75: -8

How is your tongue? Does it have clever rebukes, excuses, and explanations perched on it, ready to jump at the slighest provocation? Let Him be your answer, let His words do the work. He has an awesome plan for you if you will only step back and let Him be the judge.

Lord, You alone are exalted and You alone know the state of our hearts. Lord, vindicate us when we are slandered. Lord, open our eyes to the truth if there is truth in the criticism. Lord, help us to respond with gentleness and peace rather than with poisoness words and anger. Lord, help us to lean on You and not on our own words and our own judement of ourselves. You alone know our heart and mind and You alone can save us.

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