The Rest of the Story

We don’t always know the whole story.

There are those who can state their case quite convincingly and gather votes of approval and support to themselves so that they shine as clearly in the right, an envoy of truth. But then as we hear the other person’s side, and the first person’s case is carefully examined, we see that there really is another side to the story. There is another side to every story. And friends, we at times forget that truth. We don’t always have enough information or insight to pass clear judgement on every situation.

Wisdom from the Proverbs calls out to us in this matter warning us that,

The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. ¹

You may have heard of "Beowulf" (or even been forced to read this poem in high school).

In this story we are told of a mighty hero - Beowulf - who travels to the land of the Danes to rescue them from the dragon Grendel. His ability to defeat this evil and powerful threat is brought under question as another character, Unferth "the boaster", calls to remembrance a past challenge between Beowulf and Breca (another man of might). Unferth blathers on about how Beowulf lost a swimming match against Breca upon the open sea, inferring that Beowulf would be not only unfit to defeat Grendel, but was also filled with vanity. ²

While Breca may have appeared to be the mightier of the two because he won the great swimming challenge, Beowulf proved himself to be a far greater warrior. For not only did he complete the race, but during the race he destroyed nine sea monsters ensuring the safety of many future seamen who would have otherwise faced those monsters. When it came down to it, this wasn’t about a swimming competition, it was about the sacrificial actions of a great warrior.

Unferth's flaw was that he hurled such contrary words from a place of his own lack of prowess or heroic feats, without giving Beowulf a chance to defeat their common nemesis. And that flaw was shown to go deeper as Unferth didn't allow himself to consider hearing Beowulf's account of the great swimming competition. Less tampering and big talk from Unferth would have prevented him from the scathing wounds of Beowulf's final words to him:

"Now I cannot recall any fight you entered, Unferth ..."

This account along with Scripture warn the humble and wise among us to not pass judgement before we have all sides of the story in our hands, and even then, to cautiously hand forth any conclusions we may opine. We may want to consider and carry David's attitude expressed in the psalms concerning matters of judgement,

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. ³

There is always room for us to be wrong. We find ourselves living in a culture where perception is reality. But apparency is not always truth, and we should always hunger for truth. For even love rejoices in the truth,

It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. ⁴

and love is the most excellent way.

References

¹ Proverbs 18:17

² Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney ©2000

³ Psalms 131:1

⁴ 1 Corinthians 13:6