More often than not, I find it easier to notice the characteristics that make people different from me-- whether it'd be in appearance or mannerisms. The act in itself isn't wrong, I don't think; It reminds me of God's creative hand. The line between being conscious and being judgmental is so thin though, because my thoughts soon go from "oh, look at her hair" to.. "OH.. LOOK at HER HAIR!!?!?!" (This makes a lot more sense if you read it out loud.) How often than not do we become judgmental of others just because they are different from us?
Cognitive psychology gives us reasons (excuses) for the way we react when something/someone we see/hear/experience is totally different from our schemas. But as a Christian, I should know better. As someone who claims to know a God who died on the Cross for all-- not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles, not only for the Wise but also the Unwise; As someone who claims to have joy overflowing, I should know better... But most days, I really don't. Most days, it's easier for me to (not) see the homeless man on the F train and ride him off as nonexistent, annoying, a druggie, or just mainly worthless. Other days, I'd rather pretend to be better than I actually am, pretending there isn't some part of me inside that is judging you. But I am... and I hate it. Or I don't even realize I'm doing it. Or I do realize I am and I love judging you (thanks to pride just being myself). Anyone feel me on this?
Thank God for God because last Friday we did a Bible study during fellowship... and there it was in Romans 14 (read it!). The passage is referring more to the 'disputable matters' that cause dissension and people to judge each other, but I think it could be applied to my issue here.
"For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written:
" 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' "[a] 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." --Romans 14:9-13
And so I ask myself (and whoever is reading this entry)... What happens when the person you can't stand sits next to you during service? What happens when a "mentally unstable" man sits next to you on the subway? How will I respond... how will you respond? What will our response be as a community who claims to know the living God ? The answer is obvious but, as always, it's easier said than done.
-Kat Cheng
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Funny, yesterday I was sitting next to a guy who I just didn't wanna sit next to (older "Harvard" bum looking dude, gave me a stack of papers filled with typewriter typed lyrics of his songs with questionable lyrics). At first, I was apprehensive about sitting near him, and tried to move away but people filled the pew on the other side. During the bible reading, I noticed that he didnt have a bible to read along with, and I leaned over to share mine with him, to which he responded (in a too loud for bible reading during service volume) "ITS OK I DONT HAVE MY GLASSES!" It was funny. Whether this has any relevance to your article is questionable, but yeah... how are we to react and what do we expect to get from responding ....?
ReplyDeleteI was talking to a friend about this article she was highlighting:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/nyregion/08foster.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
which talks about foster children who struggle getting off the ground once they turn 21.
Her thrust is that not all poor people choose to be poor....
and when it comes to the discipline of acceptance, the same principle applies.
There is such a wealth of situational mishaps, cultural upbringings, relational drama...many of which are completely out of our control but leads us to restrict our activities rather than enjoy the full freedom of Christ.
and in the same way, when we appreciate the disenfranchised, you get to appreciate each and everyone's narrative (whether you choose to believe it or not) and you'll always be less likely to pass judgement.