I am sure you have heard the axiom: "What you don't know can't hurt you." I have to tell you that this is utterly and completely false. In the past, I rode the fence about the truth of the saying, waiting for experience to prove to me either its worth or its deception. Unfortunately the experience had much more destructive potential than I gave it credit for.
The danger of what we don't know doesn't take the form of another's plans or opinions. It doesn't show its colors in the academic realm of acquired knowledge (or lack thereof). It doesn't rear its head in the ignorance of rules, laws, or cultural peculiarities. The silent killer is assumptions. Even more frightening, I am not referring to assumptions that others make. I am talking about assumptions that I make... and don't know that I am making them.
Recently I assumed that God was placing the same call on another as He was on me. I didn't come to a cognitive conclusion that this was happening, it was an unconscious assumption. It had always been the case before. My unwitting arrogance that I knew God's plan for someone else nearly tore apart one of the most precious relationships I have left on this earth.
Unfortunately, I don't have a quick fix for detecting something you don't even know exists. However, I can say (mostly to myself) to never be afraid to step back and perform some core self-examination. The alternative can be terrifically painful… especially when we don't understand where the hurt is coming from, except that it is coming from inside.
1 comments:
What profound consideration. I think we can all be found guilty of this from time to time but what a good reminder to be humble, request clarification and guidance from God and repent. God will do powerful things through you, and a true friend of Christ is happy and quick to forgive. I pray that this is the case and your friendship is restored and your continue on in the path and purpose that God has laid upon your heart!!
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