Judge Not

 

Sometimes, as I walk along the streets of my neighborhood, I draw the attention of my neighbors. Depending on the time of day, I might encounter adults on their way to work or children on their way home from school or families out for an evening stroll.

Even though we have never officially met, we are familiar to one another. We nod or wave and never break stride. Occasionally it is as if two strangers pass for the first time. We look each other over, we size each other up as we continue on our way. Like this guy. He stared a hole in me, never moving a muscle as I passed, even as I stopped and came back for the picture.

I pondered what he was pondering about me. Do animals judge as we do? Was this neighbor thinking about the length of my hair or the way I was dressed? Was he imagining my life and what I do for a living or which house is mine? Did he care at all what I drove Or how much money I make? Of courses not. But I still wondered.

The scriptures teach that we are not to judge one another. “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

Peace.