A few weeks ago, Grace and I decided to go on a road trip. This was a trip with a purpose: the goal was to check out some Christian campsites for our church retreat, both for this year and options for future events.
This trip was rather spontaneous. We just hopped on our car, with our GPS all set for the different destinations, and drove. There was one campsite, however, that our GPS somehow could not locate. After visiting some of the other campsites, we finally started heading in the general direction of this specific campsite that our GPS could not locate. Along the way we decided to call its administration office, hoping to get directions.
The conversation was not as pleasant as I expected. The person who answered told me that I shouldn’t just show up at the campsite, and that I need to make an appointment at some other time. That would have been fine, except that she had a certain tone that almost sounded like she was scolding me. I found it quite rude and became irritated. I had to work hard at practicing the discipline of reticence, controlling my tongue from saying anything in a manner that would be just as rude. By God’s grace, I did.
And I am glad that I did. Before the conversation ended, I discovered that the staff was going through a very stressful circumstance at that very moment. Earlier that day one of their camp workers was found dead at their campsite! This was at the very beginning of a youth camp week, and campers were already arriving when the body was discovered.
Grace and I decided to just head for home. Later reflecting upon that incident, the Lord reminded me of how it is best, as much as it is within our ability, to practice discernment: to take the time to grasp the bigger picture of any situation—especially when tempted to react impulsively. It is a lesson I’m still learning. Step back, take a deep breath, listen and discern what the real situation is before taking any kind of action. Otherwise, I may just end up making things worse, cause unnecessary hurt, make a fool of myself, and bring dishonor to the name of Christ.
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness” (James 1.19–20 NET).
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1.9–11 NIV).
—Keith Y. Jainga