August 16, 2013 (Friday)
An old standby gag for the movies is the swapping of bodies and/or voices. The first time I saw that done was when Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour starred in one of the “Road” movies. They were singing and suddenly each had the other’s voice. The gimmick with variations has since been performed many times in the movies, on the stage and on television.
What would it be like to become someone else, even if just for a brief period of time?
O.K., O.K., I know we can’t do that, but we can imagine it, can’t we? In fact, that has probably been suggested to you. Perhaps the preacher said, “Never criticize your brother until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.” In other words, imagine that you are that other person for a little while.
That would probably be a good thing for all of us to do at least once a day. We can just relax in a quiet place, and think of ourselves as that person who may be giving us a hard time, or going through a hard time himself. Put yourself in his shoes, and try to think like he does. Pray for him, and try to be more understanding of him. It will do you good.
Asking too much, am I? O.K., then away with the role playing and just take to heart Ephesians 4:32, “Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander and no more malicious remarks, Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (J.B. Phillips translation).