Aug 18th, 2021: Absence of Wisdom and Grace
Some Quebecers were not happy when they learned the new CEO of our national airline proudly proclaimed that he doesn't speak French well even though he has lived in Quebec for many years. It was rather unwise for him to say it the way he did even though he was honest about his inability to speak French. It was an intriguing selection considering that my daughter had to do a French proficiency test when she applied to work for the Government of Canada. Some wisdom is missing here.
Some people would argue that it does not matter whether he can speak French or not, as long as he can run a good airline and make it profitable. I guess it depends on how the Board of Directors defines the best person for the job. It is not his fault that he got hired. He might be the right selection. However, his failure to recognize that his inability to speak French can be a public relations problem is perplexing.
Others would say that we are now witnessing hypocrisy at work. While we talk about accepting others, learning to be cross-culturally sensitive, and overcoming our biases, we now have a no-no if you don't speak French in Quebec because Quebec is a distinct society. Quebec believes that it is unique in its own right. It is so special that it has no understanding of how others might see it.
Christians need to be aware of our own bias and shortcomings. We have become ineffective in sharing our faith with others because of our lack of awareness and sensitivity. We somehow create a separation that brings about further misunderstanding and distrust. The language of faith and truth has to engage others in their journey of self-discovery when it comes to the absence of grace in their lives.
Romans 2: 1-5
"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed."
