It's them, not us. Right?!

It's 2016 and I've really had to contemplate, what my resolutions would be this year.  As I think about what a crazy end of year 2015 was, and how 2016 is starting out, I've decided that I'm going to choose the subject that seems to resonate with me the most. To make it my goal, to become the best version of me, I can. This one, will be hard to measure, but it means the most to me, so I'm willing to do my best. My first goal of the year, is to give to others, to the best of my ability, with all my heart.  This means to stop making rash judgments of other people/situations, and to look inward and see how I can change. You know, judge less. Love more.
This is a voting year, and I think we all agree, that we have already seen some crazy politics and opinions. Just scroll down your news feed on Facebook, and it won't take you long to see what people's opinions and judgements are. Everyone has their opinions and thoughts about who the best candidate is. I do! What upsets me, is how angry and judgmental people can get, when others don't agree with them. Of course it's them, not us, right?!.  People become intolerant of others views, and instead of focusing on the issue at hand, and how we can make a difference, the focus is on how our opinions are right. I get angry when I read the posts and I start to judge people for their views, just as they are judging others.
Politics isn't the only area where judgements occur. In fact, most often it's in the small areas of our life. The friends, acquaintances, or people we run into on a daily basis.  Our judgments always seem to be the right ones. And everyone else is wrong. Sadly we like to justify the judgement with the phrase, "Not that I'm judging but...".  Have you ever been around someone who consistently judges people? It's so hard to be around that person. Ironically I keep including "our" and should really personalize this and say "me".  For the rest of the post, I will try. :) Mike Le Claire, my senior pastor recently gave a message about judging others. "If you find yourself judging someone else, start to judge yourself."  I've thought of that so many times since that message. It's amazing how often I've had to change my thoughts and look inward. Matthew 7-15 (MSG) says: "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults- unless of course, you want the same treatment.  That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.  It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on own.  Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor."
So that's it. That's my goal.  I want to become the person Jesus has called me to be. After all, this is how we know love, to love others. To give unto the least of these, and judge not.  This is what he commands of us. I want to be able to say, "It's not them, it's me."

Comments

  1. You're back! I opened up facebook on my lunch break and was pleasantly suprised! Yay! This is a very challenging post. I find myself judging others and justifying it by calling it "venting." I mean, I just need to "vent" sometimes, right? I don't really make New Year's resolutions, but this is definitely a life-long change I should be working toward. Thanks for the challenge, and glad you are back. Love you!

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  2. I think forgiveness helps make it about me also. It let's "them" off the hook (and me too) and helps clarify the future. Someone said that forgiveness means letting go all hope for a better past. I like that! Keep writing my dear daughter! And not just once a year. I am convicted to start up my blog again. Thanks a lot! :)

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    1. Wow! That's good dad! I needed that!

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    2. We can finally return to some north woods wisdom?

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    3. Well maybe some Up North Wisdom. :)

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  4. Actually I hit the "publish" twice and had to remove one. :)

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