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There are many moments in life when we are quick to judge a person because
of what we think we know about them. We use what we perceive in our own
minds and we base what we think we know to label a person as bad, unkempt
and even unredeemable. What we must understand is that we are told
throughout Scripture to not judge any person lest we ourselves become
judged. We cannot go pointing one finger at someone else when we have
three fingers pointing back at us. We are to offer love and not judgment
towards others because we ourselves have fallen short at one time or
another. Instead, we are to see all people through the innocent eyes of a
child. When a child sees someone, they don't judge them based on
presumption, but they see them with the purity of their own eyes. That's
what we must do. We must purify our own minds and hearts and give people
the benefit of the doubt. (Romans 12:20) (Luke 6:35-37) (James 1:19-22)
I've noticed that the older people become, the quicker they are to judge a
person or situation as bad or negative as they perceive it. They don't
give that person a chance to show their heart and see what lies within,
but we must. If we are true followers of Christ, then we are to love,
encourage, inspire and lift others up instead of trying to tear them
down. Those being judged have already suffered based on presumption, so
let us do the opposite and be ones who lift them up instead of tearing
them down. (Philippians 2:14-15) (James 2:2-5) (1 Peter 1:13-16)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to never become
judgmental, but rather see others through the eyes of a child who never
judges, but quickly accepts.
LOVE, LAUGH AND ENJOY
As people age so many become cynical, suspicious, grumpy and a bit critical.
They tend to look at the world and all that surrounds them through
skeptical, judgmental lenses. They become cantankerous and cease to enjoy
the world around them. How sad.
Age should cause us to take in, appreciate and enjoy the world around us
and those we come in contact with. Older people should stay a bit
contemporary in thought while meshing wisdom with the reality of their
age. Youth is fun and age is stability -- what a wonderful combination.
If only we adults could look at the world through the eyes of a child, we
would be more accepting of the things that are important.
We adults become demanding. Things desired become essential. We judge
prematurely as our eyes lie to us. When did we graduate to the point we
need a referee to settle the argument between innocence and rebuke? Our
fault-finding and criticism replaces admiration and respect and we often
become what we detest.
Our granddaughter, Hanna, loves to go with her mother to yard sales. She
proudly states that's where she acquired a cute little outfit I
complimented her on. Many adults would hide the fact their purchase was
found anywhere besides a high-price department store. Why do we let pride
replace innocence?
One day Hanna's grandpa, Bill, and I had her out for an outing. We pulled
into a parking space and Bill jumped out to go in the store. Hanna and I
were enjoying our time together and I noticed a rather cluttered looking
vehicle parked beside us.
“Me like that truck,” Hanna's words jumped out and grabbed me.
Surprised that she had noticed the unkempt vehicle, I asked, “You do, why
do you like it?”
“Me just do,” she stated.
I begin to try and see what she saw in the truck with a multitude of items
hanging from the rear view mirror. It looked littered and untidy through
my eyes. But, I decided through Hanna's eyes she was intrigued by the very
colorful items that I saw as clutter. What is debris in the eyes of an
adult is a treasure in the eyes of a child.
Then I looked around at the untidy interior of my own vehicle and wondered
how another older adult might judge me because of my messy van.
We adults often find irrational reasons for judging, and complicated
reasons for liking things or people. Children don't need complex reasons
for enjoying or loving.
We adults seem to have to seek reasons to love and to appreciate. Children
just do.
Maturity should bring with it lessons learned, but often wisdom is seen in
the heart of a child.
We often don't see ourselves as we appear. As age has come upon me, I
realize that fact even more. I don't see myself as the mirror reflects or
as my birthdays confirm. But, one Sunday morning a little child validated
the fact that I had arrived at “old age.”
Going from the parking lot into church recently one Sunday morning, a
little boy walked up beside me as I rode on my jazzy motorized wheel-chair.
I'm sure, I correctly understood the little fellow as he called me an “old
lady.”
I thought to myself as he uttered those words, well Betty, you better just
face it -- those words are coming from the innocence of a child. He sees
you as you are -- not how you feel, how you once were, or how you wish you
could be.
So keep in mind, wisdom isn't necessarily only seen in the elderly, so
don't miss seeing it in the young. Fun isn't reserved only for youth -- so
love, laugh, and enjoy life as you age, and remember to look for wisdom in
the heart of a child.
By Betty King
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Matthew 7:1-4 Jesus declares “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that
is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own
eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of
thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?”
Mark 10:13-16 “And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch
them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus
saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom
of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took them up in
His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.”
1 John 4:7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: THIS MOMENT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem45.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: MADE STRONG THROUGH WEAKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony183.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
