Long Thought(s)

You can never judge a book by its cover. How often have we heard this, or said this to ourselves, but are continually surprised by the fact that we have... and wrongly!

I've been studying 'charity' for the past while, and of late I've seen so many instances where I have, without even knowing it, NOT been charitable. Where I've judged someone wrongly, tucked it away and forgotten about it -- only to be surprised later to find someone's really nice. Surprised?! I find one of my most difficult challenges with charity is that I crave justice -- I like the bad guys to get their come-uppins... but who made me judge? Certainly the scriptures do anything but that. And the major flaw with judging, is that we do not have all the facts. Over and over, God has shown me the positive side of people that I've at first look been scared of, intimidated by, or peeved at. Yet, over and over again, I still need to be reminded of this fact.

The person who seemed rude to you in middle school, the police officer that seemed to talk down to you, the guy who butted you in line, the professor that made fun of you in class... all these types of encounters only show ONE facet of an individual. That middle schooler was probably struggling with crazy hormones, acne and low self-esteem. The Professor could have been struggling with anything - who knows. The point is, their act does not make up who they are. They are... we are... children of God, and even the meanest person on the planet was at one time good enough to choose this plan instead of Satan's.

Why does charity "vaunteth not itself" or "seeketh not her own"? Because she doesn't need to compare herself to others - she doesn't need worldly validation - she knows God is the judge and will do so in His own time. She knows He loves all His children. She knows that Christ's atonement can ransom anyone who will repent and come to Him, and she wants ALL to do so. This humility helps her to be 'kind'.

Charity NEVER faileth. She loves unconditionally, and probably realises that those who seem to deserve love the least, need it the most. She judges righteously. Oh, how I want to become a charitable person and have 'the pure love of Christ' for everyone. How I want to stop realising that I've judged someone and forgotten about it... but rather not be surprised by people's goodness, but simply rejoice in it knowing that they are striving to live up to the godly potential they have. I know that charity is a gift, and I know that Christ loves us and can make weaknesses become strong if we'll come unto Him. I pray I can do that, so I may be 'filled with this love'. That we all may be.