I find the people I have the least patience with are the people who judge a book by its cover. We all make judgments by the first thing we see, that is something we can't control. but what we can control is how we deal with that judgment. Do we hold on to it and let it control how we act towards the person? Or do we ignore it the best we can and get to know them? Do we look down on them because they are different? I had this "discussion" with my dad at lunch yesterday, after he kept trying to persuade me with amounts of money to take out my nose stud and leave it out. I understand he doesn't like them, he is very conservative and as a kid he was embedded with the image of being clean cut, and he has all his life. I really can't blame him, its his opinion. But its so strange how society claims a right to know what is "good" and what is "bad". How are earrings socially accepted in any career, yet a little nose stud isn't? Some strict, conservative christians look down on nose studs or tattoos (I looked down on tattoos at one time too.. being from a conservative home)... but how are they any different from ear piercings? If I am in the wrong for a tattoo (no, I don't have one).. then my grandma, mom, aunts, cousins, etc. are in the wrong for piercings.. I don't think the bible differentiates between the two. But America does, and so that becomes our standard for living.
Do we do that with other things? Does the bible call us to live cushy lives in retirement when we are older? Or is that America's view? Can women really cut their hair? Can Christians really drink?
I know there are a lot of things that the bible says is wrong, and I think we should decide upon these things in our own personal lives (and no one else's). If I don't want a tattoo, it doesn't mean I'm against anyone else getting one. If I have a drink every once in awhile, it doesn't mean I make fun of people who don't drink. Its not about what is right and wrong.. its about following Christ. He is the ultimate goodness.. and the more we follow Him and become more in sync with his ways... we become less like the world.. and the rules of the world do not matter to our spiritual walks.
I feel like the months ahead I may be hit with a lot of conservative thoughts. And I pray I can control my mouth. I just want to say.. "Did Jesus ever condemn anyone, unless they were hypocrites? Through all the stories in Jesus' life, I feel like He became one of the people... But He didn't keep tabs on wrongs, He noticed how people served one another and how much they loved each other. I love when the prostitute is about ready to be stoned to death.. and He tells the men that they can cast a stone if they are free from sin as well (I paraphrase). I like this because it tells me that Jesus is not happy this woman is a sinner, but he knows we all are.. so why in the world, are we throwing rocks at one person? I don't think God views our sins in categories. He views us all as beautiful, amazing creations that have a human baggage called sin. A disgusting thing that His son has taken from us. When we accept that, we die to that old life. We no longer live in a world where we count up our sins and feel a heavy guilt.. or compare and contrast with how other's are living.. no.. no.. no.. we live for Christ. Not for America, not for this world. But we live for the people in this America. In this world. The people who have no hope and are at a dead end. We don't condemn them for something silly like a tattoo or drinking problem. We embrace them because we are free from law, and they can be free from guilt too.
Reading Ragamuffin Gospel has been a great reminder of this. We are all sinners. Its more dangerous to be a legalistic christian than a person who doesn't know God. Arrogance, manipulation and hypocrisy are sure ways that a person tries to play God.. and fails miserably, because we don't have the insight, love, beauty, power or gentleness that He does. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg of what He can do. Why are we arrogant enough to think we can control or dictate how another person should be acting, wearing, doing, saying? We love them... we don't talk at them.
This is me talking to me, more than it is me talking to you my blogger readers. I have committed this sin without even realizing it. My arrogance had me awake for nights upon nights. I became the person I most despised. And I hope to remember that for the rest of my life, so I don't do it again.
Also, I am sick of president-bashing. This man has the hardest job on the planet, and we find any and every little tiny mistake he has made and rip him apart. With Bush he was slow, talked funny, had big ears and sent us to war.. with Obama people are trying to say he is Muslim. Hey America, get off your high horse. I don't care who you voted for, the bible strictly says to PRAY for the person who is in charge.. don't complain about them. What good will that do besides making yourself a hypocrite? because you sin, too. How do we expect change if we aren't praying for it, and praying for him?
With all that said... discernment, obedience, loyalty and love for our Father is a must. I must discern every situation I am in.. am I being loving towards my Father through my actions? I ask myself this 20-50 times a day. I ask the Spirit, and the Spirit moves me. it doesn't take me long to realize what is wrong or right.. because God is within my soul. Though it is not our job to judge others, we must still hold ourselves and our brothers and sisters of the faith accountable. I hope I am always held accountable by my friends and family...I need it.
The cover of my book may look good enough on the outside.. but I have the same ripped and worn pages as every other person in this world. And for this reason, we must love one another.
There is no room for judgment.
-Emily
side note: I apologize for not having any bible verses in my post.. it is late and I am half-asleep.. and I don't even know where to begin for some of the bible stories I mentioned.. if you know them.. please leave it in the comments...
1 comment:
That's a lot on your mind and heart. I feel like you may have a challenging time this fall living with your relatives, more so than your parents, but hopefully it will be a good challenge. A challenge to love and love even when you disagree and are frustrated by how everyone else sees things.
I think that judgment will always be something to deal with and I think we each see it differently in our own ways. I feel like you see it a lot in appearances and beliefs because of how your family is (not that it's a bad thing...)I see it a lot when people are picked on for being an outcast or looked as being weird. I do believe that it's important for us not to become the judgers for the judges, if that makes sense. Like not to take the place of those doing the judging, I do believe that we can keep bringing up things that are contradictory to how the Lord wants us to live but to do it in love and not as condemning.
That's my 2 cents.
Post a Comment