Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. Acts 19:36
Another version says: Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash.
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
Proverbs 19:2
Controversial or not, there are laws which impose waiting periods which require that a specified number of days elapse between the time a firearm is purchased and it is physically transferred to the purchaser. The goals of a waiting period are to: (1) give law enforcement officials sufficient time to perform a background check; and (2) provide a “cooling off” period to help guard against impulsive acts of violence.
That “cooling off” period was probably formulated with good intentions. That intention was to restrict an individual from the possession of a firearm who might be reacting to some dangerous impulses which might have arisen from certain heated social encounters and the time factor was to provide a period allowing, hopefully, a calmer and more rational solution to the problem.
I have not only seen but have sadly also been the pastor which reacted far too quickly in some problems and situations that arose in my local congregation. Even though there are those unique problems and situations that demand a prompt and decisive intervention—they, however, many times are the exception rather than the rule. Many times a “cooling off” period would have been the better course. Why? Because in the spur of the moment we may not have all the pertinent information on hand for a proper and just judgment. Also, the time period allows us to incorporate the needed prayer and communion time with God which can not only touch our temperament but also our heart and mind.
Pastors, if we are honest, we need “cooling off” periods in our ministry which prevent hasty feet from sinning. Again, we all realize the necessity of swift action in certain situations of which waiting is tantamount to compromise—but there are those many other times when if only we could have “cooled off” at an altar and at the foot of the cross God could have aided us to do more perfectly the work He has placed us over.
–jlg–