HEAR! HEAR!!

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” Hebrews 3:8 NKJV

Today my oldest son stated that I’m “less judgmental than I was five to seven years ago.”

Surely, I hadn’t heard him correctly. “Excuse me?!”

Was I a terror those years ago?

Maybe.

My mini-me calls it like he sees it.

He views most churches as “hypocritical.” He believes many Christians are judgmental and don’t even attempt to love their “neighbors” as Jesus instructed.

Teenagers.

So, annoying when they are correct.

Thankfully, the kid does believe in God.

Faith in organized “church?”

Not so much.

DSC_0216 (2)  Yet, he managed to hear something today that penetrated his thick skull.Today’s sermon focused on the second chapter of James, especially the verses about favoritism and mercy.

The chapter ends with “Mercy triumphs over judgement.”

“Less judgmental.”

Seven or so years ago, I had a lot going on. Lots of changes, not all of them positive. I’ve had my “trials” that effectively served up a fair dose of correction, humility and mercy.

Like most people, I was trying to do my best. However, it was not good enough. I’m pretty sure I was left tired, angry, and bitter. I thought I was keeping my feelings to myself.

Apparently not.

Cam’s comment made me realize that people tend to be most judgmental when they are angry, broken and in a state of struggle. Lashing out at others is one way insecure and bitter people vent, release anger and irrationally view themselves in a more positive light.

What are we really doing when tearing others down?

Are our motives pure?

Is condemning people the way to draw them to God?

Judgement is not the love Christ commanded. Let alone mercy.

Jesus loved the people who needed Him most. Tax collectors. Harlots. Sinners.

People repented when healed, loved and touched by the Master. It is the “sick” who need the Physician. We are all “sick” at various times in our lives.

God’s love transforms people.

I am grateful God has made me less judgmental, at least in my child’s eyes. I am trying to parent by example. Trying.

Most of us strive to behave better, but how can we gauge our progress?

My oldest child provides checks and balances for me. Even if unsolicited.

If we take time to truly listen to others, we may learn from them where we are in regards to the changes we seek.

Is a compliment on my new outfit an indicator that I’m stylish, or a reminder I’m spending money I should be saving?

If someone comments they haven’t seen you in a while, does it mean you’ve abandoned “questionable” company or confirmation your church participation may not be what it should be?

God often speaks to us through other people, if only we have ears to hear…

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matthew 11:15 NKJV

By Lilka Finley Raphael

Author, Editor, Gardner, Photographer, Pharmacist

11 comments

  4. Lilka – this a fab post, thank you. Lovely to hear your own creation sees that in you. Yet you comment lifted below made me pause:

    “Is a compliment on my new outfit an indicator that I’m stylish, or a reminder I’m spending money I should be saving?
    If someone comments they haven’t seen you in a while, does it mean you’ve abandoned “questionable” company or confirmation your church participation may not be what it should be?
    God often speaks to us through other people, if only we have ears to hear…”

    I just wondered what Cam might say to that. Maybe, that “other people speak through other people” a lot of the time – and other people are not necessarily hearing God. Just a thought (from your occasional previous comments about Cam, I have great respect for your son). 🙂

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    1. Paul, that kid is a trip! But a good one 🙂 God has used him in my life on several occasions to open my eyes. The comments are so on point and not at all what I want to hear at times, I know they are Divinely inspired.
      Yes we must use discernment to filter what we should hone in and filter out indeed. He just found out I mentioned him in this post (bad mother!) so I can only imagine what he will have to say next! 😉

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      1. LOL!! personal opinion – our children can be our best “resource” a lot of the time – and so underutilised when we could do with a loving, even-handed, insightful point of view we may not necessarily want (does that sounds a lot like God to you?) 🙂

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  6. “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” Sadly in this day and age of the Koch brothers who crush the working class (they sit on the board of directors at my workplace) and the 1% aka Billionaires and Corporations that rule America unions and every day working people are being destroyed. The “Beautiful People”, the very rich, celebrities and the wealthy are worshiped and held up as examples whereas the poor, disabled, Veterans are being pushed to the side, buried, ignored. Where I work I know the situation is hopeless. Nothing will change as long as the wealthy and corrupt are in charge. The church is so busy judging people that they have ignored their social responsibilities which is why church attendance is down and more or less the church is or has become irrelevant. I rarely attend church. Way too many scandals especially sexual scandals. Women in the church are merely prey for perverted pastors and ministers. I made a decision not to be in this type of negative atmosphere. Sadly I believe James is wrong. Judgment has triumphed over mercy and unless the common people rise up the United States will become like the dictatorships in the developing world.

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