“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:5

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I was sitting in the bleachers watching my son play in a local AAU tournament. Everything was going smoothly until I saw a player for the other team start playing with what I considered to be poor sportsmanship. For me, it started with him getting up in the face of one of our players, taunting him. I continued to watch the game as this young man and some of his teammates continued to play with bad attitudes.

When it looked like it was getting physical and my son was on the court, I got downright mad. Now, I pride myself (you can already see this going downhill) on not yelling out during the games at the officials, but this time I let my emotions get the better of me. I called out, “Watch number so-and-so. He’s playing dirty.”

A little later, the player got subbed out. I don’t think it was related to his behavior. He probably just needed a breather. He looked across the court and I feel like we made eye contact. I’m ashamed even as I write this. I did it. I gave him the stink eye. Even worse, I shook my head at him slowly… me from the stands looking at him like he should be ashamed. I cringe again to think of it.

Now, God is no respecter of persons and I had a lesson coming. Not just once as God brought to mind various verses that afternoon, but again the next day as we sat in Sunday school and talked on the passage above.

You see, my frustration at that young man came because he was taunting another player. Here’s where I hang my head: That’s exactly what I was guilty of! I was showing my feelings on my face from the stands. God, be merciful to me, a sinner! I should know better. This young man hasn’t had the same number of years to learn some of these lessons. He may not know God. I was calling out the “speck in his eye” when I had enough hardness in my heart to refloor that gym.

Here’s something that stood out in that Sunday school lesson when it comes to judging others: Our teacher pointed out that not judging others doesn’t mean you don’t deal with right and wrong, but rather it’s how you deal with it.

So how do we handle situations like this? We throw out condemnation and we sub in compassion. We quit trying to intervene and we start praying for God to intercede. We quit thinking we know it all and go to the One who knows all things. Yes, I was sitting high and mighty in the stands on a Saturday morning and had to get schooled Saturday and Sunday. I’m thankful for it. I can forget that in God’s court, apart from Christ, I’m the sinner condemned.

I don’t know if I’ll ever see that young man again. I’ve wondered what in his life was going on where he felt the need to play the way he did; perhaps he is carrying some heavy burdens. If that resonates, perhaps you can pause and pray for him. God knows.

So what do I do with my failure, my sin? I take it to the Father and claim the great promise of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

I wish I’d “played” better that Saturday morning, instead of getting a good old fashioned whoopin’. But for those who can relate, be encouraged, as Hebrews 12:11 reminds us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

You have your speck; I have my plank. Thank God Christ was willing to take them both and hold them together on the cross with His love. All glory to His name.

— Rachel Gibbons

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