  This week I was interrupted by some specs of sawdust in the eye. I struggled through two nights of sleepless discomfort as my body tried to work the specs out of my cornea. The discomfort became too much and I finally broke down Wednesday morning, deciding to go to the hospital. The doctor put some freezing drops in the eye which only took a few seconds to relieve the discomfort. The first spec was obvious as it was larger, and a Q-tip and solution pulled it off the eyeball, easy-peasy. Just so no spec gets left behind, an orange dye and ultraviolet light were used to help find the smallest of undesirables. Two very tiny specs had embedded themselves into the cornea. The doctor's constant flicking of the needle was amplifying in my head. It got me thinking… And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5. New King James Version Over the years I have been guilty of picking specs out of people's eyes. What does this mean exactly? It simply means judgment. We all fall short of loving one another and doing the right action. In the context of the passage of scripture, Jesus was addressing religious leaders who added unreasonable laws on the commoners. They were watching and judging, instead of looking or reflecting within themselves, they were hypocrites. The warning was clear, Don’t Judge, or you will be judged. Many artists, philosophers, and theologians have dissected Jesus's words about judgement and its connection to our ego, overzealous and selfish nature. We have been groomed to take care of ourselves first, instead of taking care of the needs of others. Nobody has received more controversy and judgment than Michael Jackson in the past 50 years. The spotlight on Michael reinforced judgement from the Rocking Chair Brigade, producing division amongst the commoners who never sat at the same table with the King of Pop. In my humble opinion, he wrote the greatest song regarding planks in our eye, Man In The Mirror. I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh) I'm asking him to change his ways (oh) And no message could've been any clearer If you wanna make the world a better place Take a look at yourself and then make a change… Like the King of Pop, I too have been scrutinized and judged. I have had to look at the man in the mirror and determine whether the judgements against me were valid. Did my actions warrant the judgement, or does the accuser have the right to judge due to the plank in their eye? Tricky question… Judgement is reserved for the King of Souls. It is widely accepted throughout the religious creeds and denominations that the King of Souls resides in the heart. So, If God resides in our hearts, our convictions come from within, we don’t need someone to point out our shortcomings. Many times, throughout my life, whenever I have done something wrong, I have an unsettling feeling in my spirit. I can ignore this feeling or make it right by asking for forgiveness from the people I have wronged. In situations where I was not aware that I offended someone it is up to the offended person to make me aware, in private first. There is no judgment, only love and understanding. Conviction of wrongdoing usually starts in the heart first, especially in individuals who want to do the right thing. When we look in the mirror are we willing to make a change? To forgive the unforgiven, to serve the rich, to feed the hungry, or to clothe the poor are all actions to make the world a better place. I also started thinking about those qualified to judge. I agree some people are qualified to pick specs, like the doctor who performed sawdust removal on my eye. But, when dealing with matters of the heart, few people are qualified for the job. Biblical judges are to have their house in order, be fair, and honest, and deal with any specs that would render them unfit for the position. In today’s environment, I am not sure we have the best selection, as ego and name-calling, from so-called leaders, seem acceptable. We are so divided on what is right or wrong. In a democracy the majority rule. If the majority is selfish, self-seeking or self-centred, well… you get the picture. As I struggle through seeing the words on the screen and trying to bring you a weekly blog, I am once again convicted about one thing, finding ways to love in today's toxic environment. Maybe it is the company I keep, not judging, just saying. The feeling in the air is hopelessness and helplessness. My Love rhetoric seems futile when prices are soaring, selfishness is roaring, and hearts are pouring out for help. As I was finishing this blog, I was interrupted by a phone call, hopelessness and helplessness filled the cellular waves. He was reaching out to find the purpose of living. Wow… This puts it back into perspective… As I look at the man in the mirror, am I ready to stop feeling sorry for the things I can’t control and make the changes necessary to walk with my words? Am I willing to make that change? Our conviction from the spirit inside, reminds me that I can do better. We need to be vessels for the change required for a better future, and it starts with the person in the mirror. We need to remove any planks in our eyes and stop searching for the specs in others, which are holding us back from doing the right thing. With all the elections going on, don’t be side-tracked, thinking someone will lead us to a glorious future, more on that next week. In Love, By the vessel, William John
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