Article July 28, 1973 Issue

Play It by Ear?

GORDON THOMAS SPARE

There is good common sense in the often-heard admonition "just play it by ear." One may be on his way to a tense conference about an explosive situation, or just heading home needlessly late for dinner. In either case, the humility and willingness to yield to developments needed to follow this advice would be harmonizing, healing factors. They would lead one to respond to challenges and confrontations in ways that would wet down the tinder of recrimination, and dampen the sparks of anger.

Jesus went further. He urged his followers to turn the other cheek and go the second mile. More, he directed them to pray about a situation. Isn't that what he did himself in the face of great challenges? Didn't Jesus show us the way, refreshing and strengthening himself throughout his ministry by humble communion with his Father?

His was not the way of dodging issues. He did not avoid even the final awesome confrontation, through which evil would have discredited him and his lifework. Fearlessly he faced crucifixion, strengthened at the last by his all-night vigil of prayer in the garden and determined to obey only his Father's will. He had a calm sense that his real, spiritual being could not be touched. He told Pontius Pilate, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above."^{John 19:11;} The victory he won was the highest proof of the omnipotence of God, good, and of the eternality and inviolability of God's expression, man.