The Problem with Assumptions

“They’re drunk on cheap wine.” --Acts 2:13

 Can you believe that the Bible talks about people being intoxicated?  The scripture verse is actually a quote from a casual observer of the disciples.  This person could tell by the way they were talking that they had far too much to drink.

A couple years ago, I was driving on Pendleton Street in Easley, SC getting ready to take the acceleration ramp to Highway 123.  Before I could turn, a driver nearly missed the turn and swerved wildly onto the ramp.  She was off the road and then on the road (and then off again).  I couldn’t believe that I was following a drunk driver!  I called the police and followed her to a traffic light.  The light was red, but she did not stop until the middle of the intersection.  As people tried to avoid hitting her, she was startled by the truck honking a horn in front of her so that she bolted through the intersection.  She continued for almost a mile driving quite erratically.  I was on the phone with the police while I followed.  The next thing I knew, she bumped into the back of a car that was stopped for another traffic light.  I pulled close enough to her bumper so that she could not back up and get away. 

Once the police arrived at the scene of the accident and interviewed everyone, I asked if the woman was okay.  To be honest, I really wanted to know why they had not put handcuffs on her yet.  The police officer explained that the woman was a diabetic according to her bracelet and that she was likely dealing with severe health effects of low blood sugar.  They had given her a small piece of candy, and an ambulance was on the way. Boy, had I made an assumption, or what?

Those watching the disciples on the day of Pentecost got it wrong, too.  They assumed that they were drunk on new wine (The Message says ‘cheap,’ I assume, because newer wine is cheaper – irony intended). Because their basic assumptions were wrong, Peter had to stand and explain the meaning of the event that the crowd was witnessing.

Oftentimes we struggle, we strain, we work to battle against the things that are making our lives difficult. If only we could push a big, red button and fix the problems out there everything would be fine.  But what if we are wrong?  What if our assumptions have missed the mark?  Could we be trying to solve a problem that isn’t the problem?

Enter the movie “The King’s Speech” which is based on the true story of King George VI who battled a speech impediment.  One of the earliest scenes has a doctor instructing him first to smoke (it relaxes the larynx) and then to stuff his mouth full of marbles.  The future king nearly chokes!  Trying to find help, the king’s wife enlists the assistance of a speech therapist who quickly concludes that the problem is not a physical issue at all.  All other attempts were failing because they were treating his mouth and throat when many of his issues were based on triggers and fears present in his mind.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “Don’t judge according to appearances. Judge with right judgment.” John 7:24  In other words, be careful of assumptions.  And when it comes to problems that we are having with others, the first assumptions to question belong to the person in the mirror.

Grace and Peace,