Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight.
When I ran Midtown Cycles, I used to deal with customers from an Old Testament model of balanced scales. If I am fair to you but not to me, I am out of balance. If I am fair to me but not to you, I am out of balance. I can't count the times I relied on that measure when dealing with a big job or a complaint with a customer. I never believed the "customer was always right." The customers were not the experts. My technician, Jason, and I were the experts and had earned that title through years of hard work and many trials and errors. We had both reached the top level of competency in running that small business. That is why we had such wonderful customers that returned over and over. Now, I am not saying that we were perfect, but we really tried to do our best every day. That "best" was guided by the principle of the balanced scale.
We live in a litigious society. Is balancing a scale really a thing anymore? Not so much. Lawsuits are so prevalent, and the courts are so packed, that lawyers and judges are guided by a principle of "settling" cases. I am no longer naive. I have learned that anyone can start a lawsuit against someone whether "real" or not and get the court and lawyers on their side, especially in probate cases that operate in a lot of darkness, and charge a defendant with just about anything. They ratchet up fear tactics and harassment to such a level that millions of people who have the means, choose to settle. They are buying peace even though they may have done nothing at all wrong. They are buying back their lives from an ugly entanglement, and they are buying peace. So, that said, is that balancing the scales? I am not so sure. That may be "fair to you", but is that "fair to me"?
The problem is a defendant can be totally innocent and lose cases today even with proof that judges and lawyers may have lied often, and a naive elderly woman's Civil Rights may have been removed without following the guidelines of the laws set forth by the state. Documents may prove that. Unfortunately, our system is not perfect, and that doesn't appear to always matter. However, if the state chooses to file a judgment against someone who is innocent, and that happens more times than we can imagine, the "universal" onus of that imbalance is on the courts and all of those who participated in that. The "universal" "delight" will still follow the ones who work diligently to balance the scales. Is that sound logic?
Ironically, I just wrote this and suddenly remembered the symbol for our justice system. Wow! We gotta work on that.
I, also, remembered something New Testament that says very practically,
Modern King James version
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him; that the opponent not deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Good advice, but that only works if the courts are not already involved. They can become a part of a persons life in one quick ambush. Then, the system already has control. That is a practical application from the New Testament that appears to say settling differences is OK; However, the same Bible tells me to, "ask anything in my name..." and "Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things unseen." This clearly says to me asking for a miracle of balanced scales is totally appropriate and winning can be expected and settling does not have to be an option. Although this line of reasoning does appear to be poo-pood even by some of my closest Christian friends and family. Faith is hard for humans. That brings me to my conclusion.
"Where two or more or gathered" also Biblical, holds much power. I am an idealistic optimist, and I believe justice will prevail. I am sure you can tell who this is about. If you read this, would you take a moment to believe that with me? Justice will prevail. I could use some shared peace on this matter.
Peace. Love, Linda
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