“Don’t
jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation." ~ Proverbs
25:8
Officer McMurphy (Mac) was in a
funk. With all that’d been publicized recently
about police actions, he wondered if he was on the wrong side of right. Mac had signed up to protect and serve. Maybe he was old fashioned, but he believed
in public service. He saw the worst of
humanity on a daily basis and it tested his faith in people’s goodness and his
natural optimism.
As he sat pensively considering retirement options, a car
rocketed through a red light at the intersection of South and Main. A semi-truck nearly blindsided it as the Mustang
thundered away leaving a line of dazed cars in its wake.
Eyes wide, heart pounding, Mac prayed to remain under
control. The Mustang weaved in and out
of traffic, running 3 consecutive red lights. Pedestrians on the sidewalk melded into blurs
as the two vehicles jetted past; the reflection of moonlight on parked cars
turned into a blurred white streak.
Despite the police car’s vivid strobe lights and screaming siren
that pierced the night’s stillness, the Mustang didn’t appear to be
decelerating.
Just as Mac was nearly within spitting distance, the Mustang
pulled a hard right turn and gunned its engine down an obscure alley. Police protocol requires backup, but have you
ever tried to talk on your cell phone at 100+ miles-per-hour on city streets
meant for 35 MPH? He couldn’t let this
cray driver get away.
Mac started to imagine what kind of conversation they’d have
when the driver finally gave up, hoping that he’d have the chance to speak with
a breathing person rather than a mangled corpse.
A hospital emergency entrance guarded the end of the
alley. The Mustang screeched to a halt
directly in front of two automatic doors.
A man ran inside, ignoring the Officer’s call to surrender. Mac ran after him, into the emergency room,
where his 4-year-old son was bleeding to death after being hit by a car.
Mac said a prayer and walked away.
Jumping to conclusions is like putting two and two together
and getting five. When our minds race in
the wrong direction, it can lead to false conclusions, stressful situations,
flared tempers, and hurt feelings. Maybe
that’s why God says to think the best of others instead of imputing motives,
making assumptions, and jumping to conclusions. If we really want people to give us the
benefit of the doubt, then we’d best do that for them.
Lord Jesus, You tell us not to judge, or we
too will be judged. Help me overcome the
tendency to jump to speedy conclusions that can cause harm to others. Use me to build others up and be ready to
have my heart changed. Amen
