The turn of a key, and an engine may start.
The twist of a dial, and a frequency can change.
But the click of a “Submit,” a button, you know,
And you commit yourself to post and share.
But did you pause and consider
If what you say says what you want to share?
There is no undo, even though you delete a post.
Other’s have read, and you can’t take what they learned.
A screen print, a further complaint, and suddenly
What you shared says something you wished you kept quiet about.
It’s like noticing a spelling error, or even a grammatical mistake,
After you turned in that special hand-written or typed paper.
In the old days, liquid paper, or an eraser could repair.
But in modern times? It’s just too late.
I was thinking about the Disciple Peter, when Jesus was being arrested. He’s not identified by name in this Gospel account , but his reputation sort of tells us it must have been him…
But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?”
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Matthew 26:50-56 NKJV
John tells us it was Peter. Luke tells us Jesus healed the wound. All four Gospels present the event. I imagine at the time of writing, and after the manuscript was complete, each writer thought of more details they could have shared, some they may have felt better about leaving out, and maybe…just maybe…they said exactly what they had to say for the audience they were reaching.
Our social platforms are a wasteland of weighted, sleighted, awful, and incomplete information. We propel it forward when we share, and as for me, I know I’ve labeled myself as a follower of someone, something, newsworthy or not. Every time I click, I must guage the potential result by some filters. These are mine from every situation, but also, they are ancient from a multitude of sources.
Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful.
If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid. ~Bernard Meltzer
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!