Dearest Mr. Lewis
Do you think CS Lewis ever said anything dumb? You know, just kind of opened his mouth without thinking and blurted out something that didn't quite add up. Do you think there was ever a moment when his friends chuckled and said, "Nice one, Lewis"?
Yea, me neither.
Some of my favorite quotes are CS Lewis quotes. The wise man once wrote in his book, The Weight of Glory, "In our own case we accept excuses too easily; in other people's, we do not accept them easily enough."
Oh, man. Conviction.
We often hold double standards when it comes to faults. It's the issue of actions vs. intentions. You see, we often judge others based on their actions. It makes since when you think about. We don't know others' intentions but all too often we feel the effects of the things they do.
But we do know our own intentions. From our point of view, it just doesn't seem fair when others ignore the fact that despite our best intentions, things go wrong.
But when it really comes down to it, judging others by their actions while insisting we should judged by our intentions is the "unfair" part. THOSE are double standards.
The beautiful thing about forgiveness is it frees us from both options. Forgiveness doesn't judge on the basis of actions. Forgiveness doesn't judge on the basis of intentions. Forgiveness doesn't judge.
Forgiveness says, "Wow. You messed up. It's okay though."
But no forgiveness is as powerful as shared forgiveness. If we have been forgiven, who are we to deny the gift to another. Accepting forgiveness doesn't rid you of the double standards you hold, only offering it can do that.
So today, let's be conscious of forgiving those around us instead of judging their faults, actions, and intentions. And then let's do it again tomorrow. And every day that follows. You might be surprised to realize how freeing it is. Double standards are a heavy worldview to carry.
Yea, me neither.
Some of my favorite quotes are CS Lewis quotes. The wise man once wrote in his book, The Weight of Glory, "In our own case we accept excuses too easily; in other people's, we do not accept them easily enough."
Oh, man. Conviction.
We often hold double standards when it comes to faults. It's the issue of actions vs. intentions. You see, we often judge others based on their actions. It makes since when you think about. We don't know others' intentions but all too often we feel the effects of the things they do.
But we do know our own intentions. From our point of view, it just doesn't seem fair when others ignore the fact that despite our best intentions, things go wrong.
But when it really comes down to it, judging others by their actions while insisting we should judged by our intentions is the "unfair" part. THOSE are double standards.
The beautiful thing about forgiveness is it frees us from both options. Forgiveness doesn't judge on the basis of actions. Forgiveness doesn't judge on the basis of intentions. Forgiveness doesn't judge.
Forgiveness says, "Wow. You messed up. It's okay though."
But no forgiveness is as powerful as shared forgiveness. If we have been forgiven, who are we to deny the gift to another. Accepting forgiveness doesn't rid you of the double standards you hold, only offering it can do that.
So today, let's be conscious of forgiving those around us instead of judging their faults, actions, and intentions. And then let's do it again tomorrow. And every day that follows. You might be surprised to realize how freeing it is. Double standards are a heavy worldview to carry.
Comments
Post a Comment