The Plank

God is teaching me many life lessons through His word and challenging me, especially in my walk with others! He is teaching me a lot through my wife and Ben too. I've been studying the Sermon on the Mount of late, learning from Jesus' wisdom! As I read the famous "speck/plank" passage out of Matthew 7, I was challenged as to its meaning. Most of my life, I have read the passage understanding it to mean, "Fix yourself and then you can fix others". In my own life and through the lives of others, I have come to realize we are BLIND to our own planks...that's why it's STILL there! I thought I got it out, I often feel "prepared" to solve the worlds problems, but then I realized what Jesus was trying to say to ME, to Michael Shawn Gary. Perhaps, the point was not so much, hurry up and take care of your own plank, so that you can take care of everyone else. This passage has recently been revealed to me in this was, "Shawn, your own personal plank is so big, that it will take a life time to take care of it, so don't bother yourself with judging everyone else's 'plank', just take care of your own!"

There is a good chance you figured that out long ago, but God has used His word, trials and time, to teach me that I often can't see my own faults. I need to spend my time and effort being transformed by the Spirit. I don't believe that to be selfish or "inward focused". I believe that to be God's purpose in my life. I will continue to share His word, but now more than ever I have been called to also share His grace and love. I do want to take this time to say thanks! Thanks to so many of you who have seen my plank, but in your godliness worked on your own and allowed me to grow in Christ! You're example has made a huge difference in my life!

Below is the "plank" passage from the message. Hopefully Mr. Peterson will perhaps give you another perspective on Jesus' timeless teachings.

1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.