I have an ability. No, I cannot fly or cloak myself with invisibility. I do not have super strength or psychokinesis. My gift is far more dangerous than any of these.
It has caused me great problems and helped me to inflict great pain upon others. Even when I am trying to help people, my ability will swing out of control and harm will be done. I do not advertise my power, nor do I really want anyone to know that I have it. Were I to be exposed, I do not know how dire the consequences would be. But, in the interest of public safety, I am choosing to reveal myself to the world.
You see, there may be others like me.
In fact, I am certain that there are others with this same gift. I know this because I can see the wake of the carnage that they have caused. Within this trail of human tears and suffering, the footprints of those like me are quite clear. But, I am hopeful that through awareness and education, we can prevent future tragedies from occurring.
What is this ability, you ask?
It is called “wit“. It is also known as “sarcasm” or “craftiness“.
The world celebrates those of us with witty comebacks and cruel words of false encouragement. The best of us get to make movies, do stand-up and write books. The rest of us are the envy of our friends, not because of how beloved we are, but because they would rather be dishing it out than taking it. To those on the outside, the gift of saying exactly what we would like to say at exactly the moment when it will inflict the most damage may seem like something to be desired. But it comes with a price.
You see, it is quite uncontrollable. Imagine having a loaded gun that always hits its target. Sounds good, right? But what if that same gun also picked its targets and pulled its own trigger whenever it so desired? Well, that is not a weapon worth having. Friends might get hurt. You may even hurt the ones you love most.
This ability is not a new one. In Genesis 3, the Bible says that “the serpent was craftier than all the other animals”, speaking of the creature that would ultimately cause the downfall of all mankind. He was a smooth talker. He had a cleverness about him that could cause him to manipulate, belittle and strike when need be.
So why would I want to have an ability that originated with that old serpent?
I have sought to subdue this ability on every occasion, but the truth is, I like it. When you can make others feel smaller, there is a power that comes with it. You can get them to do what you want. You can even make them do things they would never do. Manipulation is the byproduct of wit and it is on display in the world today like never before.
So, I come before the Maker of the Universe, the One who created me, and ask why He would choose to bestow such a horrible gift upon me. I do not wish to hurt people or manipulate them, but my nature is to do just that. Why has He birthed me with such a cruel, vicious sword in my arsenal?
He speaks to me, even as I write these words.
What you think is a sword, I see as a plowshare.
In Isaiah 2:4, the Lord prophesies that swords will be beaten into plowshares. Tools used for destruction will be used for growth and good work. All gifts are given from God, even the ones we use for wrong ends. The issue is not with the ability, but with the able. It is good, old-fashioned user error.
So, today I commit to use my gift of words for good and not evil. Where once I tore down, I commit to build up. My sarcasm will turn to eloquence and my wit to wisdom.
I will use my powers for good. It is what I was made to do.
WOW