Through my African Eyes: From the Speck to the Log

10-20-2021

By Stephen Apollo

Where I come from and perhaps in many other places, people have a tendency of pointing the index finger to others, especially when they are angry or when they are casting aspersions on them. A common response to this distasteful act has been, “When you point at someone with one finger, remember three fingers are pointing back to you!” This response is a provocative invitation to introspection and proper stock of oneself.

As I write this, I have many ruminative questions: How many times have I pointed at the shortcomings of others without seeing my weaknesses? How many times have I stood on the lofty platform of self-righteousness and seen the sin of others, while blinded from my own many iniquities? How many times have I criticized others without seeing my omissions? How many times have I exalted my strengths at the expense of the weaknesses of others? To be frank with you, I fail the test and the truth is when we are blinded from own selves, we are walking on the path of pride. Jesus taught that we should not really put much attention on the speck in the eyes of other people while forgetting the log in our own eyes. May I descend from the high place of pride and deal with MYSELF. I have many areas of work in progress in my life and this should give me no time to judge others. The call is clear: From the speck to the log. Deal with your log!

Image by Nina_Akin from Pixabay