I did some judging this morning. We judge all the time. We go to MacDonalds instead of Burger King, or the other way around, because we “judge” one to be better than the other, or cheaper or closer. We make judgments concern our television watching and with whom we choose to associate.
This morning was a little different. It was a little closer to the situation in which Jesus asked “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” I went into the Waffle House with my ear phones in my ears. So a bit oblivious to those around me. Somehow I noticed a woman at the counter. She just had a cup of water in front of her. I picked up pieces of the conversation and figured out she was asking for some food and explaining she had no money. The manager gave her some food. She said she need to get to the closest truck stop to get a ride. The manager told her he couldn’t take her but gave her some cash. She then asked for a phone book and the use of the phone and tried to call a cab. When she went to use the phone, I asked the waitress about the situation and she said she was a stranger and couldn’t add much to the information I already had.
On some level I felt like I should help; maybe offer to drive her to the truck stop. I said a little prayer about it and just felt I shouldn’t get involved. She was very nervous and seemed like she might be on drugs. I don’t know if I made the right decision; but that’s not the point of this devotional. I did make a judgment. I had some facts. I prayed for discernment and in deciding not to get involved, I made some judgment about the character of the woman in need.
Jesus said at one point not to judge. But in other places in scripture it’s clear that we are to “make judgments.” Is there a difference? Christians are already felt by many to be “judgmental.” This area raises a lot of questions and deserves some serious study, prayer and consideration. That’s what we will do in our Sunday night session on Being the Church at Amana. If you have some thoughts on the subject or some questions, please join us in our discussion. You may have the word that others need to hear.
Pray for the Waffle House Lady. No matter what her character, she clearly needs prayer.
Be blessed.
Nick
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