Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

January 4 ... Genesis 9-11, Luke 4

This is one of those "days" that could keep me reading and writing for days more.  What with the resolution of the flood and the re-boot of human culture (with some pretty nasty residue of what God wanted to wipe away), not to mention Jesus' time of temptation in the wilderness ... much has my attention.

However, one thing really catches my eye.  Genesis 9:20-23 ... "Noah, a farmer, made a new start and planted a vineyard.  He drank some of the wine, became drunk, and took off his clothes in his tent.  Ham, Canaan's father, saw his father naked and told his two brothers who were outside.  Shem and Japheth took a robe, threw it over their shoulders walked backward, and covered their naked father without looking at him because they turned away."

What comes in the verses just following this short passage is a curse on Canaan's family because of what his dad, Ham, did.  Even though he couldn't un-see his dad's unfortunate condition, easily he could have just covered him and exited without saying a word.

It has been my experience - and I include myself - that often in the Church we say waaay too much about others, the situations they are enduring, and our evaluation about the person and/or the circumstance.  Our words are often disguised as prayer or the request for prayer for that person or persons; truth is, those details usually don't make a difference in the way I pray ... I just like knowing the details.

Knowing details about someone's life is either a trust he or she has placed in you OR the result of someone else's telling. Maybe that telling was very well measured and serves the individual in question well; may telling somebody else's stuff is indiscriminate and hurtful.  We have to be clear for ourselves about why we are talking before the words ever spill out. I'm guessing that Ham's intention was NOT to dishonor his dad; he just couldn't believe what had happened and was, in a way, enlisting their help.  Let's learn from Ham and realize that just because we can do something (share details, offer an opinion, make a point, shut someone down, etc., etc.) doesn't mean that I should. 

Lord God, I often forget the power of my words - a power that you gave us when you gave us language.  Help me measure my words very carefully and honor those around me, both friend and enemy the same.  Often, my well-intended actions and words hurt others because I just don't realize the impact of what I say and do. Teach me, Lord, how to edit myself and all that I do, so that my words and actions only bring glory and honor to you, and respect and love for all others.  In the name of Christ, AMEN.

In order to learn this important lesson, I will have to yield the power that I feel in knowing information about others and the pride that comes when I can show what I know by sharing it with others.  In place of that misused power and pride, I trust that God will fill me with Divine mercy and grace.