Luke 6:1-5

If you look at the world today, we are all shouting for change because there are many things that are not right. Why do these things happen to us? We have taken away God from our lives. Now we do not know what is right or what is wrong. How true what was mentioned in the bible, that in the last days, the wrong will be made right and the right will be made wrong. 

Since sin abounds and we are our brothers’ keeper, it is our Christian duty to correct the shortcomings of other people. On the other hand, since none of us are perfect, we too have our own shortcomings, sins, and errors. 

In Psychology, there is what is called the Johari Windows. It says that a person is like four windows. In the first window, there are things that a person knows about himself that other people do not know. In the second window, there are things that a person does not know about himself that other people know. In the third window, there are things that a person knows about himself and the other people know too. And in the fourth window, there are things that the person does not know about himself and which other people also do not know.

It is the second window that the Gospel refers too – there are things about ourselves that I do not know which other people know. And when I am told about this, why do I not like to accept and change? Three reasons:

1. Pride – Once we are told of our shortcomings what is the first thing that comes to mind, “Who are you to tell me?” The best examples are Parents-Teenager relationships. The parents tell their teenagers what is wrong and the teenagers get mad. Fast forward 30 years, the teenager tells himself, “Dad and mom were right after all.”
   
2. Fear – Change always brings uncertainty. Uncertainty then brings fear. What will happen to me if I take away this sin or this vice from my life? How am I going to manage? Alcoholics Anonymous said that one of the greatest hindrances to recovery is that the patients do not know how to deal with people when they are sober already. 
   
3. Self-Centered – We only think of ourselves and we forget that all our lives are intertwined. We often tell people, “This is me. Accept me for what I am.” We forget that our sins, shortcomings, and errors are already affecting the group. I remember a story of a group that was divided because one member was so fond of gossip. When she was told of this habit of hers, she burst out, “I am just telling others of what I see. Is it my problem?”

Let us continue to include prayer and God in our lives. Let us be aware of our shortcomings and have the humility to recognize when we are negatively affecting others. As long as we look to Him for guidance we will be able to adapt and change for the better.