Taking a Stand

Here I go sounding like Andy Rooney, the 60 Minutes guy. Have you ever…? I ask myself and others this question quite frequently; like when I am driving through a neighborhood and see the street sign that says “SLOW CHILDREN PLAYING”. Have you ever wondered why anyone would like to advertise that their children are slow, or that they move very slowly? Are they proud of the fact their children are developmentally challenged or are they asking us to take careful aim with the automobile at those slow children to help cleanse the gene pool?

Another question I ask occasionally, is “Have you every wondered what body part is a yet?” I have seen news stories that tell you a bullet is in her yet. Even if they said the bullet is in her still, it is the same problem. What part of the body is her still?

Sentence structure and syntax are very important to communication. Why don’t we say what we mean in a way that is designed to communicate the true meaning of the statement? You could easily say that the bullet has not been removed from the victim at this time, or “PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY. CHILDREN AT PLAY”.

But this is very judgmental of me, and that is just one of my character flaws. Not only do I judge things, but I have a tendency to judge other people for how they look, what they say, and the way they act. This is not a very good trait, especially in light of the scriptural admonition to not judge others.

However, this issue goes deeper that judging others. It reaches in to the heart of loving others, which as believers, we are constrained to do. Yet, I ask myself the question “Have you ever tried to love someone with God’s love and not judge them when you are so opposed to what they are doing?”

I have a friend who is involved in something that I just absolutely do not like. She and I have had several discussions about this activity, but each time the discussions escalate into full fledged arguments. Not exactly a free and open exchange of ideas at that point, is it? I need help understanding how to let her be her and love her for who she is and to not judge her.

Yet I know she is not walking the right path. Because there are absolutes in this world and life, taking a stand matters. How do we make others know that the stand we take is not against them but against evil, no matter in what form it comes? How do I communicate my love for her and my hate for the sin in which she lives?

The wisdom I have learned over my life, tells me the key to this balancing act is to make sure that there is a strong relationship in place. If my friend does not know how much I love her and value her friendship, I can not speak honestly into her life. The same goes for her. Relationship is a two way street. Both parties must trust in the relationship and the love they have for each other to know that when something is pointed out honestly, it is not meant to hurt but to help. Those relationships take time, effort, working to know someone, and prayer. It is the same way our relationship with our Heavenly Father is developed.

I, also, believe that the basis of any relationship with another person is based in the relationship with God. Only he allows us to love well enough to take and stand and not be the judge, jury, and executioner.