“Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.”

When everything is locked up and in stalemate and we are “that close” to an agreement, then it is not crazy to call for a coin toss and move on.  But, why is that so hard?  Maybe because it means someone wins and someone loses and the person who loses won’t be able to accept that the decision was made in such a way.  What is it that keeps that from happening?  Maybe it is just plain old ego and loss of power that gets in the way.  No decision is perfect, but sometimes they are good enough!

Maybe when Solomon tells us that flipping a coin can settle an issue he was telling us even more.  Notice the last part of the verse, “between powerful opponents”.  Is he not telling us that we are not to take our power so seriously that we must always win?  Is he telling us that if we continue to use our power to argue and hold onto disputes it is an abuse of power?  If we are being taught that we should be able to subordinate our power down to the fate of a coin toss, then yes, we are being taught that we are not to put too much stock in how powerful we are or want to become.

Reference:  Proverbs 18:18 (New Living Translation)