better to know

Talking with a friend yesterday I learned a valuable lesson. He said to me “it’s better to know”. Although it is a short phrase, it really makes sense when you use it in context.

For instance:
It’s better to know if…someone is angry with you.
It’s better to know if…you have a heart condition.
It’s better to know if…you are going to fail a class.
It’s better to know if…you’re license is going to expire.

The point being that it’s better to know, than not to know. Why is it better to know? Simply this: it gets to the heart of the matter. And only when we get to the heart of the matter will we actually be able to move forward with our lives and that of building the Kingdom (on earth as it is in Heaven).

This morning I read the words of Jesus:

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5: 25-26)

It dawned on me that Jesus was in so many words, saying the same thing. “Settle matters quickly…or you will not get out…” How often do I trap myself in the mire of life’s confusion by trying to please people or be non-confrontational? It’s as if for the sake of being nice, I’m not being truthful. Because of that, I not only hurt myself but others around me. Now, I’m not saying that we should be mean or be jerks to one another, but we should be honest – truly be honest. Because honesty leads to the truth and the truth will set you and I free.

Is the baggage we carry in life from not knowing? Probably not. I'd venture to say is it from not settling the matters we know about and not settling them quickly?

It’s better to know, than not to know.