Alright, so I spent some time with Matthew chapter 10 today. Not just reading it, you know, but really trying to chew on it a bit, see how it fits into actual life.
Getting Started
First thing I did was just read it through again. Slowly. Didn’t rush. Let the words sink in. Jesus sending out his guys, telling them what to expect, what to do. Pretty intense stuff when you think about it.
Then I picked a part that sort of stuck out to me this time. It’s that bit where he tells them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. That line always gets me thinking.
The Practice Bit
So, my practice for today was trying to actually apply that idea. I thought about a situation I’m dealing with right now – nothing major, just some tricky office politics stuff. You know the kind.
- The Serpent Part: I sat down and really thought through the situation logically. What are the facts? Who wants what? What are the potential traps or downsides if I just blunder in? Tried to be strategic, figure out the angles. That felt like the ‘serpent’ thinking.
- The Dove Part: Then I switched gears. How can I handle this without being sneaky or causing unnecessary trouble? How can I keep my motives clean, be upfront where possible, and not just look out for number one? That’s the ‘dove’ side, being harmless and straightforward.
It’s harder than it sounds, trying to hold both at once. My first instinct is usually one or the other – either be super cautious and maybe a bit calculating, or just be completely open and maybe get walked over.
Working Through It
I actually wrote down a few points for myself. Like:
- Okay, state your point clearly (dove).
- But anticipate the likely response (serpent).
- Don’t gossip or undermine anyone (dove).
- Be aware of hidden agendas (serpent).
- Aim for a fair outcome, not just ‘winning’ (dove).
- Know when to speak and when to just listen (serpent).
It felt like mental juggling. Trying to be smart about things without being manipulative. Trying to be good without being naive. That’s the core of the struggle, I guess.
What Came Out Of It
Well, I haven’t ‘solved’ the office situation yet. But going through this process, this little exercise based on Matthew 10, definitely gave me a better handle on how I want to approach it. It clarified my thinking. I feel a bit more prepared to navigate it without compromising too much on either side – the wisdom or the integrity.
It’s not some magic formula, obviously. It’s just a way of thinking, a principle to try and live by. And like any practice, you just gotta keep doing it. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you mess up. But focusing on that ‘serpent and dove’ thing today was helpful. It’s real-world stuff, baked right into those old words.