When being "right" is so wrong

Have you ever heard the saying "no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care?" This is a commentary on how some people may have all the right facts and knowledge, but no one cares because Mr. Know-it-all doesn't actually care about the person they are speaking to. Well, I think I want to invent a new saying. It isn't as snappy, but it is along a similar theme. It would go something like:

"Being right is sometimes right. Being right can also be wrong. But Love is always right."

There are some in the Christian faith who want to be "right" at all costs. From my perspective, being "right" seems to be the goal. Objective, universal truth and the DEFENSE of that truth, is the end all and be all. And they will push through, run over, go through any idea OR person that gets in the way of what they know to be "right." It feels at times like the religious leaders that Jesus often had conflict. While the religious would sit around and debate "who is my neighbor," the Samaritan is busy caring for the one in trouble. It seems to me that being "right" is so not the point.

In no way would I want to be ignorant or false. I really don't like to be wrong either. But it seems to me that implicit in faith is the possibility that I could be wrong. What I want is to be real and authentic. And I want to be faithful and true. But I am finding there are many times when I can be "right" from my own perspective, and get it so wrong...because I did not have love to the one who saw things from a different perspective.

Love and humility seem to me to be always right. I pray for more of these things in my life. And in yours.