This morning, around 5 am I boarded a flight to New York City (which was very cool by the way). I returned this evening after a bit of a delay at the airport. As I was waiting at the gate a business man ran by me with the look of “I’m gonna miss my flight” written all over his face. Ever since I started my world tour, I have made it a habit to get to the airport in plenty of time. So there I was getting all judgmental all of the sudden.
As he whooshed by me, I thought to myself “that’s too bad, glad I got here on time”. Then the still small voice kicked in and a I had to check myself. I was just fortunate enough to get there early. I don’t know a thing about this man, or why he was running late. I certainly shouldn’t consider myself a more savvy business traveler because I wasn’t running.
I was reminded that I can often do the same thing with my faith. Especially in the area of justification. Am I the only one that can justify my way out of things by thinking “well at least I’m not as bad as THAT guy”. If I’m not careful, I can find myself comparing spiritual standings with people I don’t even know. Highly dangerous and very wrong. As if I know a thing about their past or why each person is wired the way they are. Even worse, as if I am somehow better. If the truth was told, I’d be the one running to catch every flight in this analogy! Who am I to think or judge someone else or their faith?
It was yet another “teachable moment” in the most unlikely of places.
I’m really bad about that as well. There are NUMEROUS times that God has stopped me in my tracks reminding me that I’m not any better than anybody else. He’s shown me so many times where I have prematurely judged someone only to actually speak with them and find out my initial perception of them was all wrong.
Good analogy. Sometimes we forget that we’re all at different places in our journeys and it becomes easy for us to judge.
Good analogy. Sometimes we forget that we’re all at different places in our journeys and it becomes easy for us to judge.
Good analogy. Sometimes we forget that we’re all at different places in our journeys and it becomes easy for us to judge.
Good analogy. Sometimes we forget that we’re all at different places in our journeys and it becomes easy for us to judge.
Reminds me of when our children were small and we had the “perfect family” and I wowuld look at people who had trouble with their kids and think ‘mine will never do that’…
Boy did I have some lessons coming that brought humility and great compassion not only for struggling parents but hurting teens and people.
It’s not easy out there; everyone deserves the same grace the Lord had extended to us!
I can’t tell you how many airports I have run across, late for a plane for some reason or another! Lord have mercy.
Bless you Aaron, and thanks for another good reminder; it is all too easy to judge, may Jesus help us!
Maybe we’ll run into each other at an airport one of these days… 🙂
( But hopefully not be running late! ) we can sit down and have a cup of coffee…
good post. 🙂
My Dad always said, “Don’t judge and Indian until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.”
Heh. My 9 month old son and I are flying pretty soon here. I’m so praying that I’m not the woman with the screaming baby in the back of the plane that everyone hopes wont we there.
Good analogy. Did that all really come to you in the moment, or did you come up with your charitable spirit while flying home? Maybe I just do that!
I’m one of the most judgemental people I know!! 🙂 :). But in saying that like others, I’m also very quick to hear myself doing it and repent, where perhaps others may not do so, and thus be like the Pharisee praying about how fortunate he was to not be like other sinners. I do that so much too :). Just as well I’m a sanctified sinner LOL! Blessings, TKR
Thanks, always good posts on your blog!
I used to scoff at the runners too…until I became one. We were 30 minutes away from home (airport is an hour away) when we realized we left the plane tickets, cruise tickets, AND passports on the kitchen table. I think I reached mach 1 on the way back home, freaking out all the way. We hit the ground running at the airport and made our flight by literally (yes, literally) seconds. The gate agent was in the process of handing our seats to another family when we showed up. That’s not a good feeling.
Judge Not lest ye be judged.. I pray all the time for God to allow me to see others through His eyes. When I speak let it be You Lord that they hear. It is so easy for me to look at others and assume or gather a preconceived notion about their situation. I dont know where people are at or where they are coming from and why they going where they are at times.
Praying for the person and the situation is what they need and the best way I can help. Help me Lord to see past the fault and see the need. Love your blog! God Bless you…
Noel