Do we really know?
If we don’t ask; so we ever know what someone else is thinking? Do we ever know the motivation behind someone’s actions?
The short answer is, of course, no. We do not know what another human being is thinking or what motivates them without asking. However, this does not seem to stop us from trying. Until we have some form of mind-reading we are stuck with asking each other about thoughts and motivations . . . and yet we so often do not. This is the basis for virtually every romantic comedy you will ever see. Person A sees Person B do or say something to Person C. Person A chooses not to ask either B or C what’s going on but imagines what is going on. It then takes around a couple of hours to get the situation straightened out when a couple of minutes of conversation would have done the same thing. But then there would be no movie.
Life isn’t a movie. I am a bit embarrassed to admit how many times I have done what writers, directors, and actors turn into entertainment. It has never been entertaining when I act on what I think someone else is thinking. Furthermore, it has frequently caused much difficulty and misunderstanding.
This Sunday’s sermon touches on what we really know about other people . . . and what we don’t. As always let me know what you think as you are able and inclined.
Blessings,
