The road to God’s presence
Reflections on Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye When you have a log in your own?” Matthew 7:1-3
You can see a condition that decays relationships among people and whole nations; it is called judging others. We see it in various ways. Children on a playground: Something happens and an argument breaks out. What you hear is Oh Yeah! Yeah. Oh Yeah! Yeah. Oh Yeah!!! Yeah. Your dad is dumb. Oh Yeah, your dad is dumber! And it goes until the argument is broken up. Adults in the workplace: That new employee seems to not have confidence for this job, should we talk with the manager? Nations: Promises broken, war is on.
The problem with judging others around us, when we look deeper into our past experiences we see the very feeling we oppose or criticize living in ourselves. The problem with judging others is that we do not know what they have experience for them to act the way they did. A child who acts in a fearful manner puzzles others, until it is discovered that child is physically and sexually abused. A co-worker who we feel demonstrates low productivity and should be fired, hoping that the manager doesn’t see our production rate is just as bad. A nation that feels its way of life is superior to others begins to take over foreign lands.
The Bible is very clear, that judging other people will not improve anyone’s life. Lots of people cast a judgment call on God’s desire, coming up short every time. Example: Because I didn’t listen to my 5th-grade teacher, God is getting back at me. Because I had a wild teenage life, God finally gave me this disease. Because I wasn’t kind to my family years ago, God finally has his way with me. All of this is nonsense, God doesn’t seem to work this way of paybacks.
How God does work, is when we take responsibility for our actions. When we realize a co-worker is struggling, we ask how they are doing and assist in any way we can. When someone withdraws and acts as if they don’t want anyone to bother them, we offer to help in any way. When a dispute happens and we see what is going on, we share what was seen in a truthful manner. Why is this a better way for our relationships? Because God who created you is the only one who knows what is occurring in your life, even you yourself. So be in the healing light of our Lord and allow God to settle the differences of the people he created.
Dear Lord, I fall into the rut of making judgments on people when I don’t know the situation. Lead me by your light, so I may be helpful to others in the ways you desire. May I build bridges instead of walls, to your divine presence. Amen.