Catherine Ryan Hyde, an American novelist once remarked: “If you meet someone you don't like, or who doesn't treat you right, try to reserve judgment, because you don't know what that person's going through, and it's probably not so much about you at all.” James 2:13 confirms: “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Reserving Judgment is defined as to postpone making a judgment or decision. It may prevent the false or unfounded assumption of another, which may be attained from an initial glance or impression. Giving a person sufficient opportunity to prove themselves, before a final decision as to their true character is established should be applicable to all, no matter what their race, creed, or colour. Galatians 1:10 reminds us: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” False judgments are common practice in some. They may believe that their initial thoughts on prevailing circumstances or the first impression created by another are indisputable facts that remain steadfast and unchangeable. What is seen or surmised are the facts of life. Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “If you do not want to make judgments, you have to bring a certain equanimity to your mind.”
It is not prudent or fair to judge a person simply by their appearance. Appearances can be deceptive. Until one has come to know another better over an appropriate period of time and in several different situations, it is impossible to gain an accurate assessment as to their true character or personality. People react in different ways to a host of possibilities encountered in life. They may appear calm in manner under certain conditions, but in others, they may have the temperament of a lion. The same may apply in reverse. People may show the disposition of a lion, but within, have the tenderness of a lamb. Daniel 6:16-22 reminds us: “Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
A story is told of a recently ordained woman who had been assigned as a curate based in a parish in Staffordshire. As part of her general responsibilities, she was allocated as the chaplain to a Secure Training Centre in the nearby vicinity. The role of a chaplain in either reformatory-type schools or prisons is primarily for the purpose of providing for the religious needs of the incumbents. Should one feel the need to discuss or require the services of a chaplain due to personal problems or other reasons, they are often offered to guide or help resolve specific issues.
They may lead services of worship and encourage others to find an opportunity to share God’s love by whatever means that are deemed necessary. God’s love and guidance is available to all, no matter where they reside or their individual circumstances in life. 1 John 4:16 reminds us: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
On a particular morning, she was assigned the daunting task of notifying a schoolboy resident in the centre that his mother had sadly passed away from the terminal stages of cancer. Apprehension abounded within her, but she felt committed to perform the necessary task. However, this did not prevent the butterflies from forming in her stomach or the feelings of sickness from becoming prominent. On her arrival at the centre, she needed a cup of coffee to calm her nerves before she attended to the unpleasant obligation at hand.
She entered the staff room to obtain the required refreshment and noticed an elder boy making a cafetière of coffee. At first glance, he appeared to be quite rough around the edges. Due to his appearance, with the array of tattoos on his body, his unshaven face and long tangled hair, the minister felt ill at ease in his presence and suspected that he could attack her at any moment without warning. She wondered whether it would be better to forgo the coffee and make her way directly to the principal’s office to proceed with the interview. However, at that point, she remembered the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald who once remarked: “Reserving judgements is a matter of infinite hope.” Matthew 7:1-2 reminds us: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” She decided to put her fears to one side and speak to the stranger.
To her amazement, she found that he was a very understanding person who recognized her plight. He suggested that before they partake of the cup of coffee, it might be better to go into the chapel and say a few prayers together and ask for God’s guidance in the difficult task ahead. This immediately gave her a feeling of calm and reassurance.
She agreed, and after some time in the chapel praying together, they returned to the staff room for the well-deserved cup of coffee before beginning the formidable proceedings. After that, she went to the principal’s office to undertake the necessary deed. She spoke to the boy with compassion and tenderness. Philippians 4:13 confirms: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Although many tears were shed and she felt much empathy for the young boy concerned, she managed to complete her task. At the conclusion of the interview, her inner self felt at peace. She thanked God for His divine help and guidance in an extremely difficult situation. Isaiah 40:1-5 confirms: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Amen.
