Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” Matthew 7:1
It happens far too often…but the latest occurrence happened in my living room and sparked this story. My wife Judy is the Missions Director for our Baptist Association and that makes her in-charge of this summer’s soccer camp. The camp is staffed by four young adults from an organization called Sports Crusaders. They come in and teach soccer and talk about Jesus. The goal is to give the kids something far more than new soccer skills.
The four staffers were due around four in the afternoon. The first young man who came in was just about what I was expecting—polite and willing to share. The other group of three arrived a little later. They consisted of a young lady, the team leader, and two rather tall and lanky guys. From my perspective they definitely looked like soccer players to me. Judy had told me that one of the team was from Arkansas. We thought (wrongly) that it was the first guy to arrive, so I told him a corny joke that goes like this. “Which state is mentioned in the Bible?” The answer is Arkansas which is always followed by a quizzical look. I then say, “You know, Noah looked out of the ark and saw.” Now isn’t that great. I thought so, guy number one thought so and when the rest of the team arrived, I tried it again.
Well, I should have quit while I was ahead. The lady team leader thought it was great but the other two guys with her looked at me like a “calf at a new gate.” My prize joke had not even garnered a smile. Hmmm. So, while Judy explained the week the two guys, seemed to hardly pay attention. It kinda rubbed me the wrong way. He kinda struck me as detached—disinterested. Well, right there and then, I judged them as unworthy ambassadors. Why, I bet they couldn’t even play soccer.
Well, hang on. After explaining the week, Judy asked the guy in the middle his name and his story about Sports Crusaders. As soon as he spoke it was apparent that his heart language was not English. He spoke with a thick accent and since his name was French, I assume that was his accent. The story repeated itself with the other guy, but his name was not French, but his accent was just as thick. And that is when this judge got fired. I realized that they weren’t rude, they weren’t detached, and they weren’t disinterested. The fact is I think they were struggling to even understand the conversation. I had wrongly judged these two young men and yes…I bet they could even play soccer.
My big truth, which I keep repeating in the classroom of life, is that it is so easy to misjudge both people and sometimes a situation. I hope one day I will finally learn to leaving the judging to the Judge—the Lord Jesus. I have learned that most of the time when I set myself on the judge’s bench, I miss the call. Do you find that true too? So, let me suggest that we learn to hang tight and get the whole picture before we act. And even then…leave the judging to the Judge. He always gets it right…right after all, “He’s got this.” Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 