“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:” Job 5:17
This is contrary to secular wisdom or reasoning. Can you imagine yourself being happy to receive a reprimand from your employer? Or sending the city a thank-you card when you are informed of a parking violation or sent a photo radar speeding ticket? Not very likely! The way we are programmed to think, we typically meet reprimand or correction with feelings of being misunderstood or overreached.
Years ago, I drove professionally for a company that had a stellar driving safety record. I was in for a re-programming of my thinking. In my orientation I was informed that, as professional drivers, the word “accident” was to be replaced with “preventable incident”. We were taught to observe traffic around us, and to adjust our own vehicle control when we suspected a driver nearby was not alert, or driving carelessly. We were taught that, as professional drivers, we were constantly to be on the alert. We were after all being financially rewarded for the service we were providing.
The crowning event of the day-long orientation program was to head into the city in a roomy SUV, accompanied by four other drivers and the instructor. In the city, we each had a turn at the wheel. The one at the wheel was given a route. While operating the vehicle, the driver was to constantly verbally identify hazards observed. For instance, “I see the walk signal change at the upcoming light.” “I see a car approaching from the left, travelling at excessive speed.” “I see a bicycle using a travel lane.”
Each of the passengers had a pad of paper, and each was silently jotting down things the driver missed. After 15 minutes we pulled aside and the passengers read their observation notes. Well! The frothing and fuming, as the driver justified his actions. But then we switched drivers, and the shoe was on the other foot! This driving exam was an annual requirement. A testimony from a fellow driver who had taken it multiple times was that he noticed a distinct improvement in his driving for a period of time each time he took the course. I noticed this man’s exemplary attitude.
Can we learn from this? When our inner voice (the Spirit) speaks to us, can we teach ourselves to appreciate correction? Can we be humble when our co-workers or customers point out concerns, oversights and errors? I’m of the opinion that when Job’s friend, Eliphaz, spoke these words to Job, that was what he had in mind.
In putting into practise an attitude of being teachable and receptive, we often relinquish a whole lot of negative emotion. It becomes a way of thinking. It is restful. We become pleasant company.
Let’s give it a try!
