Who are We to Judge?

Wednesday, December 10, 2014                                                 John 7:53-8:11

Lindsay Ballew                                                                                  

I hear this a lot, “But who am I to judge?”  It’s interesting because we often hear this stated right after someone says something like, “I think I see them at church only at Christmas and Easter! But who am I to judge?”  Hmmm…. That sounds like judgment to me.  I’m guilty of it. So why do it? Maybe if we stopped judging and walked over to them and made them feel wanted and loved, they would come more than just Christmas and Easter.  Maybe if we invited them to the upcoming all church luncheon, they would smile and say, “I appreciate that.  Merry Christmas!” and walk away a little lighter.  Before we judge that person for letting their child run wild, for not coming to church often enough, or for looking a certain way, we should instead say in our heads what Jesus said to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:7, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Yikes.  That will make us stop in our tracks! 

It’s Christmas.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Or is it?  Christmas is a time of joy and family.  It’s also a time of sadness and heartache.  We never know if that woman letting her child run wild is doing so because she slept for 2 hours last night and is fighting a 102 degree fever and honestly, she just doesn’t have it in her.  Or maybe the person that only comes to church at Christmas and Easter is trying to find their way and hey, don’t we all have to start somewhere?  Or that person dressed a little off?  What if that person just simply doesn’t care how they are dressed?  They have more important things to worry about like putting food on the table.  Let’s throw down our stones and instead wrap our arms around people and show a little more love.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to think before I speak and react.  Help me to put myself in other’s shoes and to show love instead of judgment.  Thank you; Lord, for showing me grace each day.  Amen.

Daily Challenge:  Offer acceptance and offer love to those around you.