Like many folks, I’ve followed the recent commentary concerning President Obama’s remark that his bowling style “looks like the Special Olympics.”
I suppose my seat in a wheelchair increases my interest in the President’s comment and the controversy surrounding it. I think this incident offers an important opportunity to examine the nature of our public discourse.
A significant amount of the reaction is simply predictable political rhetoric. It’s the sort of shallow, opportunistic, partisan squabbling that seizes upon sound bites to “score” in the never-ending battle of talking points.
We all tend to filter events through our own ideological biases. Awareness of these assumptions doesn’t eliminate their influence, but I believe it’s possible, and even essential, to examine issues from a deeper, more substantial perspective.
SetFreeToday proclaims a clear message: we’re all broken. We all fall short of God’s standard. On our own, none of us gets it right. By God’s grace in Christ we gain freedom otherwise unattainable through our own efforts. God welcomes us just as we are and offers forgiveness and a new beginning.
That’s a difficult message to hear and accept; it’s even harder to reflect the grace we’ve received onto others. Into a sound bite world, Jesus projects principles that challenge our tendency to hold others to a standard we cannot attain.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 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: 1-5)
The President’s remark was insensitive and inappropriate in such a public forum, but why isn’t his apology acceptable to so many people? I take him at his word that he regrets the comparison and meant no disrespect. In context, it’s clear that he intended a self-deprecating joke about his lack of bowling skills. I don’t believe that his offhand comment reveals a hidden disdain for people with disabilities. I think he got lost in the moment and used an unfortunate reference in the wrong setting.
Mostly, I believe that because I’ve made similar errors myself. I joke about my own disability. I try to restrict such comments to private settings where the audience understands context and intent. Occasionally I overstep important boundaries and hurt someone with careless, thoughtless words. I’m also certain I’ve unintentionally and unknowingly offended others. Jesus challenges me to extend to others the same grace on which I depend.
Words matter, and they should be used carefully. Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can cut deeper than any physical weapon. It’s never okay to toss hurtful phrases at others.
But we all do it. No matter how sensitive we strive to be, we all say words we regret. That’s not an excuse, but it’s a fact. Before I condemn another’s actions and motives, I need to look carefully at my own.
I frequently must ask forgiveness from others. When I’m wrong and admit my mistake, I hope others will accept my apology. When I hurt someone in a careless moment of anger or laughter, I hope they’ll understand and forgive.
Since I so frequently need forgiveness and understanding from others, why am I so reluctant to offer the same response in return?
At its core, that’s the message of Relentless Grace. We all make mistakes. We all have blind spots. We all need grace and forgiveness from God and from other people.
And we all need to offer that grace and forgiveness to others.www.relentlessgrace.com
Why is it so easy to condemn another person’s errors and so difficult to acknowledge our own?
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