"I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees."
"What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion?
Where Have I even stood by the shore along Your ocean?
Are you fire? Are You fury? Are you sacred? Are you beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?"
One of the things that God has reminded me of over the course of the past ten weeks is that I am never to judge other people. God did not create or design me to be a judge of people. I don't have the capacity to judge others. In order to be a competent judge you have to have all the information, you have to have all the details, to know the whole story. If you don't then your judgement will be compromised.
And that's the thing. I don't know the heart, mind, experience, or history of any other person well enough to judge that person. I can't know any other person completely. Only God can.
If I look at how a person dresses, or what they eat or don't eat, what they drink or don't drink, how they walk or how they talk, or any other outward idiosyncrasy that I can see, and then judge them based on those things, I have made a huge mistake. I don't know the story behind those things. There is always a story.
How different life would be if I took the time to learn the stories. The story of the angry woman pulling out of the parking lot, the story of the couple in the oncologist's waiting room, the story of the stressed out nurse, the story of the child with hollow eyes - God wants me to know their stories.
Jesus didn't tell us to "Judge one another"; He always said to "love one another". We don't need to judge, just love.
"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other." John 13:34-35
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10
God show me a glimpse of you today, show me what Holy is.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteThose words are so TRUE! Thanks for reminding me!
There are times when I am judged (they don't know the whole story) and when I have judged (not knowing the whole story). Lord, forgive me, guide me in your word and your will!! Thank you for your saving GRACE!!
AMEN
Paula Petritz
I love that song too!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes... "How different life would be if I took the time to learn the stories..."... I need to remember that !!!
I also need to remember that God is Holy. And I too ask.... "Show me what Holy is".
Laura,this is so true.I wanted to share this poem with you that God has placed upon my heart.God bless you for all of your blogs,for they are very uplifting.You are always in my prayers......
ReplyDeletePeople tend to criticize/judge others by their riches,or should I say lack of.They tend to criticize without knowing the heart of the person or for not even taking the time to find out what they are criticizing/judging them for..I have seen so many people being criticized by others.I wrote a poem about how cruel children are to other kids.But the adults are even worse.My older sister had a stroke & could no longer talk right ,so people would criticize her,making fun of her,asking if she was retarded.I had cancer when I was 18 & lost all my hair.I like people to like me for me,so I didn't wear a wig most of the time & an adult says to me that I look like a boy & I should be ashamed for walking around like that.Another lady laughed at me in a public place when I went to the rest room,she said you need to be in the boys restroom.I believe that before we criticize someone,we need to remember the Scripture,We will reap what we sow.Love one another.I wasn't angry,I was just hurt each time that someone would criticize me or someone else I saw or heard being criticized.They are heavy in my prayers.God has taught me forgiveness,so even in this trial,I give Him Praise for through my trials He has taught me how to see deeper in the hearts of others & know how to pray for them.
IT'S MY LIFE,HAVE YOU BEEN THERE
I may not have expensive clothes,
Or pretty things for my hair.
I may look sad and frown a lot,
It's my life,have you been there.
I may not speak with fancy words,
Or fit in with the higher class.
Dollar store clothes and unbleached hair
It's my life,have you been there.
I may live in a rundown home,
Not have much to eat.
Why point your finger,shake your head and stare,
It's my life,have you been there.
Do you know the real me,my heart
Or do you even care.
Why would you treat one so unfair,
It's my life,have you been there.
If you think something is wrong,
Do you take it to the throne,
Crying up to God for me in prayer,
It's my life,have you been there.
By,Linda Knight
You worded that so well. What a wonderful reminder for us all!
ReplyDeleteLaura, how cool that my reading this morning was John13! Guess I needed to hear it just one more time today. I love you!
ReplyDelete