My father and I were trying to clear the Tuckahoe creek that ran next to his house from a log jam caused by a flood. The creek flowed into the French Broad River which made it a perfect canoe landing place on our property after floating the river. The creek normally flowed gently and freely, but a flood had made a debris pile that had backed up limbs and small trees washed downstream by the flood waters. The blockage made the creek unusable for canoes. My dad and I were in his canoe with a transom and motor on it. We agreed that he would operate the motor if I would hang over the front while wedging my body and legs in the canoe, grab the logs and pull them loose to float them down the creek and into the river. The first few dislodged easily, the next ones were a little more difficult, so we tied a rope to them and attempted to pull them with the canoe. They weren’t moving so I grabbed a hold of each one and began to shake them and yank them loose from the pile as Dad reversed the engine. It worked until one limb that was really jammed in there refused to release. I grabbed it and vigorously began to yank it; Dad would gun the motor as I yanked. We then perfectly timed his revving and my tug on the limb just right. I gave my best karate k’ihap (this is the guttural shout forcing air from your lungs using your abdomen). I just knew this was going to un-wedge the limb from the pile this time. However, this stubborn branch did not move… but I did, it dragged me right out of the canoe and into the muddy debris filled (and occasionally snakey) water. I came back out of the water laughing at my silly antics. I was ready to climb back in the canoe and try again, but the motor had also conked out. The rubbish floating in the water jammed the water cooling system and the motor locked up. So, we were done for the day and the logs stayed in the creek.
As I think about my failed attempt to clear these logs from the creek, I am reminded of Jesus' words to us about being careful when we are offering reckless, unsolicited “accountability” (i.e. judgment) to someone. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”(Luke 6:41-42 ESV) Sometimes we become myopic to the log jam of shortcomings and sin in our own life, but we can easily point out the failings of others. This rarely works for either of us, because we have injured the very relationships that will allow us to remind each other of who we really are in Christ. When we come from a perspective of self-proclaimed superiority, we forget about the reality of our own failings. The truth is - every one of us is messed up and in need of Jesus to make us new and we need each other for encouragement in our faith journey. I love the way Eugene Peterson’s thought for thought translation of Paul’s letter to new believers in Galatia says, “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. (Galatians 6:1 MESSAGE)
