No Right to Judge

Still in the wake of the Orlando tragedy, I find myself grasping for explanation of this world we are living in today and how we could all be so different.

Typically, I fight the urge to push away the negatives that are resounding over media because I don’t fully understand it all, and because I tend to withdraw from the place of doom, despair and agony. I sincerely protect my peace of mind because I want to live in a “happy place”. I admit it’s far too easy to close my eyes, shake my head and whisper "I’ll think about this later or I haven’t experienced that, so I won't think about it at all."

For the last few days, however, I’m apologizing for the times I’ve allowed myself to look at the plight of others and think “How could they? Why would they? I would NEVER make that choice!” Heavenly Father, please forgive me, because “but, for the grace of God – there go I”. Luke 6:37 says “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven…”

I have no right to judge because I don’t know how it feels to be rejected, hated, or considered untrustworthy because of the color of my skin. I don't know how it feels to be hated for merely existing.

I have no right to judge because I don’t know the struggle of not identifying with my gender. I was born with the chromosomes of a woman and I can’t imagine wanting to be anything but a woman.

I have no right to judge because I don’t know the frustration and helplessness driven by an addiction. I’ve never been burdened with an all-consuming desire to consume a substance over and over again while knowing that doing so could kill me and destroy my family.

I DO KNOW, that without judging and criticizing and with the loving heart of Christ, it’s time for us to connect with our brothers and sisters in this human race, to remember our need for each other, rather than distance ourselves from each other, to remember and act upon loving our neighbors in the spirit that Jesus asks us to love. The commandment of Jesus to love in Mark 12:30-32 should stir us into action every time we’re tempted to turn away from trying to understand and comfort another.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

Yes, it’s often difficult to wrap our minds around the chaos, the actions and reactions of our fellow man, but it’s not about the why, who, what, when and where……it’s about our boldly proceeding in our thoughts and actions with HIS love running through our veins, our hearts and our minds......because LOVE CONQUERS ALL!