my error remains my concern alone.
~Job 19:4
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
~Matthew 7:5
When you point out a friend's fault, you usually think you're doing it in their best interest. It's a common self-deceiving thought that by pointing out somebody's fault, you're helping them. Truthfully, it's not helping them at all. If your friend sees you doing exactly what you told them not to do, they'll be pretty confused.
When I think of 'removing planks' I think of my sport: karate. Before I can teach someone else a new move, I have to make sure I know how to do it first. It'd be hard to teach someone a jump spinning kick if I can't do that particular jump spinning kick. How can I correct somebody's hand position if my own hands aren't in the correct position?
Basically Job is telling his friends that what he says and does, righteously or sinfully, is between him and God. His friends don't need to get in the midst of it. Although Job's friends are trying to talk some sense into Job while Job is being senseless, that isn't their job, nor their place. They love Job and they are trying to help him, but that isn't what is best for him at the moment.
In order to make sure my own plank is gone, I think for the next couple days I'm going to take a step back and examine myself and my habits. Once I have isolated behaviors, habits, and attitudes that need to be changed, I will change them. After all, I'm sure my plank is much bigger than the speck I see in other people.
A thought for YOU: Are there any planks you need to remove?
Photo #19: Talking the talk, walking the... plank?
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