Stupid should hurt. I know I've been hurt by own stupidity at times. This pain can manifest physically, emotionally, spiritually, or socially. Oftentimes, God can take our painful moments of stupidity and use them for our greater good. For the moment, I am speaking of a social pain to be inflicted on those who are acting stupidly, and specifically those who insist on continuing to act stupidly.
Have you ever been caught in a moment of self-awareness that illuminates an unflattering characteristic of your personality? All of my life I have had a tendency to be the least patient with and most critical of those whom I claim to love the most. Compounding this flaw is the time I have spent in the hospitality and service industries throughout my working life. I have strived for a long time to perfect the art of being the perfect gentleman to perfect strangers who are often really just perfect jerks! Then I come home and have no shyness in speaking to my loved ones the way I wish I could have spoken to those customers/guests while I was on the clock. I had one of those moments of clarity recently in the car with my wife. She had called me out on the tone I was using toward her while trying to figure out our morning agenda. It was a low-key, low-intensity, unserious moment, yet illustrative.
Moments later on the radio, Dennis Prager was replaying and commenting on a speech Netanyahu had recently delivered, in which he referenced Iran, its pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the response that should be expected from Israel as they are continually threatened. A caller then tried to make the case that Iran should not be considered a nuclear threat because the current leader said he did not want nuclear weapons. The caller said it was the previous Iranian leadership that created the nuclear program, and this current leader was merely stuck with it. Taking this Iranian leader at his word, this lady sincerely felt Iran should be trusted just 'cause they said so!
Then I realized part of my life's calling. I need to be part of a movement that earnestly, consistently, and lovingly uses the ability, tendency, and gift for being a jerk to call out, expose, and challenge those who insist on being so stupid. I have so much to learn myself. I am no expert on the political issues of the day, but I am teachable. It hurts to be called stupid, but like touching a hot stove for the first time, pain is instructive. I am here to help and be helped!
