“Do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37
A lot of things have been on my heart and in my head today and this evening…
Today is MLK day, a day that represents a lot for our country and the different races in it. It reminds us of the troubles faced, the judgment that caused pain and the hope that brought accomplishment. I have been thinking a lot about judgment recently. When I think about it, it brings upon anger, frustration and guilt. I become angry because I think of what people go through due to judgment. For example, the African Americans through out the past and even present day. Growing up watching films in school, learning about discrimination and witnessing it just brings upon sadness and anger. Discriminating based solely on what someone looks like is just unfair beyond belief. You can’t see their hearts or their thoughts based on someone’s skin color, that’s just impossible. It’s not even just judgment with race, but in general. It disappoints me to an extreme. I surely do not like being judged and I don’t believe anyone really does. The way someone looks or the struggles they have faced/face do not always define a person. I said above about feeling guilty, because it is nearly impossible to not judge someone. When you see someone you automatically get that “first impression.” It may not even be in a negative way, but it happens. I hurt for the people who are affected by it and for doing it myself. Judgment is something that I am so ashamed of. I am so very guilty of judging people and I hate that. Who am I to judge? I have my own faults and struggles. All I can do is pray about it as well as try to slow down my mind, catch my self. As I pray for myself with this issue, I am encouraging anyone reading this to begin praying about how you could help yourself if judgment is something that is a struggle. I ask for you to pray that God will fill your heart with love and forgiveness and to give you an open mind and heart. I also encourage that you think of someone you might possibly be judging and get to know them, get past the first impression you have received. Look further, beyond the ideas in your head.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“When you judge someone, you have no time to love them.” I find that quote so true. I’ll leave you with this question to think about and ask yourself…
What if everybody’s sins were written on their chest for everyone to see? Would their be more room for judgment or compassion?
