“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.” Proverbs 21:2

When Right is Wrong

 My brother was once in a stage production of Godspell, playing in the band as the lead guitarist. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. During one night’s performance, they were in mid-song, and the man portraying Jesus made a mistake and repeated a section of the song instead of continuing on. The band quickly adjusted and followed him. All, that is, except for the piano player. She staunchly continued to play through the music as it is written, because, to her thinking, “That’s the way it’s supposed to go.”

Technically, she was right. That is the way it was supposed to go. But by refusing to adapt and insisting on playing it the “right” way, she made it oh-so-glaringly wrong. She was not in sync with the group or the poor actor on stage. She failed to realize the impact it would have on everyone else. Because of that, she didn’t do what was best for the group as a whole.

Do you ever find yourself doing that? Clinging to your rightness, even to the detriment of others? Looking at the big picture is essential. Sometimes you need to be quiet about being right while someone else is processing his or her side of things. And sometimes, you need to lay down your right to be right, period! I recall being in a situation where I had been very wronged. I had gone out of town for a month, and a rumor got started about me. People were saying the worst things! I was shocked by how quick people were to believe the worst about someone. I desperately wanted to set things right, but the Lord told me very clearly that I was not to defend myself; He would take care of things in His time. I cannot tell you how hard that was, but I knew if I spoke up, I would end up doing more harm than good. It was a healing process that was years in the making, and though it was one of the most difficult times of my life, I’m glad I didn’t make it worse by insisting everyone know that I was RIGHT.

Laying down your right to be right is a great lesson in grace—both for giving it, and receiving it!

“Father, thank You for the grace that gave us Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for Your willingness to lay down Your rights, that we may have everlasting life in You. Amen.”