I can't help but wonder at the seriousness with which the other sailors take Jonah's actions. They realize at once that he has done something awful, which has brought great danger to them all. But Jonah made the decision in a moment, without thinking, only selfishly wanting to avoid peril or embarrassment.
I think this probably happens more than we like to think. In a moment, we make snap decisions, afraid of one thing or motivated by another, without necessarily thinking it all the way through. We often do this as children, because our brains aren't fully developed, but it's easy to do as adults, too. We try to avoid punishment, and perhaps believe a little white lie won't be so bad, or that no one will notice if we cut a corner or two. But others see, and they note the seriousness of our offenses.
What takes real humility, and real trust, is to let others speak into our lives in such a way that they can help us know where the risks are. Do we let them speak honestly to us about our flaws and our poor decisions? Do we consult with one another in such times, hoping for the wisdom of the community to guide us? Are we open to correction?
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