Pastor’s Corner – October 17, 2024
Lessons I Live By 3
The older I get the more I want to keep things focused on what really matters. This fall I am sharing some of the lessons I have learned that help me do that. My hope is that my reflections will encourage you to think about the lessons that matter most to you. Choose to live those lessons and share them with those who look to you for encouragement and inspiration.
The third lesson I have to share is choosing understanding over judgment. Jesus asked: Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3).
We all have weaknesses, sins, shortcomings, and failures. When we forget that truth, we tend to stand in judgment over others. However, if we begin with an honest appraisal of ourselves, we can be more understanding of others. Together we can learn from our mistakes, grow toward being more like Jesus, and remember that everyone we meet is facing some sort of adversity and is deserving of grace, just like we are. Taking the time to listen carefully, understand the perspective of another, to walk in their shoes, and have compassion (which literally means to “suffer with” another) judgment begins to give way to forgiveness, transformation, and mutual respect.
Jesus’ spirit of understanding is just what we need to build bridges instead of walls.
Yours in Christ,
Marc
