Judge Not...
My blog is a place where I can express my thoughts and opinions about a variety of issues. However, I think there is a topic I consider very important that I have not discussed much: judging others.
I try hard not to judge others. I have a variety of friends who make very different life choices than me, and my choices are different from their choices. I value their friendships and respect them, and they show the same respect towards me. Wouldn’t life be boring if all of my friends were incredibly similar to me? If that were the case, I would miss out on so many great friendships and experiences in this life.
I have not walked in anyone else’s shoes but my own. I do not pretend to know exactly what other people have experienced even though I may be able to relate to some degree. I do not pretend to know how God will judge, and it is not my place to speculate His righteous, perfect judgments. My job is to “work out [my] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philip. 2:12).
I love hearing/reading experiences of other people. It helps me learn. Wise people learn from other people—both from their successes and mistakes. I enjoy respectful, enlightening discussion about a variety of topics.
In short, my thoughts and opinions are never intended to be judgmental or condescending to anyone. People can disagree respectfully and share their own experiences, and hopefully we all become better people through listening, learning, and understanding.
I appreciate honest, thoughtful discussion, and I hope to receive a variety of emails and comments on my blog in the future.
Labels: Judging
posted by Chris W. @ 11:59 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I agree that it is important to leave judging up to the Lord. In sacrament meeting the other day, our primary president told a story about watching a robin outside their window in late fall. She commented on how silly the bird was, still here in Canada so late in the season. Her grand-daughter said, "But grandma, we don't know how far he has come already. He could be from Grand Prairie!" (a very northern city here in Canada.)
When we meet others, it is impossible to know what they've dealt with already and how far they've come. "Sorrow that the eye can't see" in other words.
When I finally told my wife about SSA she said simply, "Well, that just goes to show that you never know what someone is dealing with inside, no matter how well you know them!" I think that is very true.
Very much related to this.
"Grande Prairie"?! I used to live 2 hours away from Grande Prairie. Funny.
Post a Comment
<< Home