"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
Matthew 7:5
Lately I've been caught up in the stress of judging others. It's not obvious and nobody would notice it...but it's happening. It's not an exercise I enjoy. It's just an immediate byproduct of my spiritual journey this past weekend. The funny thing is...it was a great weekend! Notre Dame won big, I spent some time with my family, church was running on all cylinders, ministry was full and alive. So full and alive, I think (I've had a couple of days to think on this), that there was no room for a dead man to enjoy time with the creator of it all. I hate to sound like a broken record but once again....life gets in the way of God's intended created purposes for my life.
The result? My kingdom filter is taken off of the vision I carry and I begin to see things through my own perspective...and I begin to compare, criticize, get insecure, get frustrated....and judge others. I begin to knock down others below God's intended creative purposes for THEIR lives.
I think it is fascinating that this biblical conversation above addressing judging follows a conversation on being anxious. It's even more hilarious that a conversation on judging comes before the exhortation to "Ask, and it will be given to you..." (7:7). When I relax in God's presence (his kingdom), I don't need to worry about what's going to happen next. I can simply look to God and say.."Your move, I'm available" and the power of the Holy Spirit will direct, we will see the movement and respond. When we notice our own inadequacies against the backdrop of God's amazing grace, mercy, and love...whatever others are doing is placed into perspective and that grace, mercy, and love is transfered in and through us onto those around us.
Once again, God has reinvisioned my journey. I'm sure I'll learn this lesson again real soon.
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