In the past few days, I have annoyed several. While I could defend my actions and lay out a case for “why”, the question you and I face is never about the yesterday. The question is always “what now”? My answer 36 hours ago was ugly. I knew had a strong case. I was passionate. I was also ready to go to war. As I fell asleep, my mind was working on how to ruthlessly win.
I woke knowing I was right but wondering if my tactics came with more than I realized. What did I really want to accomplish? Was today going to be about winning or making a difference? Was winning tightly linked to achieving my goal?
As I look back, I am thankful for my uncertainty. By the time I got to the office, I knew there was an alternative approach. Even though I had been unable to see it hours earlier, my sense reminded me that the battle I was about to engage in was merely a diversion.
I am not the first to come to that awareness. Even as Paul was falsely labeled, he looked beyond the immediate to the bigger picture. His response ignored the accusation and turned towards moving forward. “Paul said, ‘No, I’m a Jew, born in Tarsus. And I’m a citizen still of that influential city. I have a simple request: Let me speak to the crowd.’” (Acts 21.39)
Yesterday for me was one of repair and moving forward. I took a neutral stance and clarified to each involved how the path unfolded. Without defense, I observed that each party had made several false assumptions. I ignored the fact that there was data and information on my side. This was about the now. Could, would we move forward.
I would love to say that yesterday was an amazing success. Time will tell the full story. For now, there were some wins and others remained angry. The wins were fun. Potentially adversaries and victims joined with me in working to make a positive difference.
Life is about comebacks.
