It’s interesting to live in a world where many self-righteous people, who likely, like the rest of us, have a past and history filled with different things they may not be proud of, who are at ease publicly slamming and persecuting someone or someone else’s actions just because a mistake or poor decision was made on the other persons end.
We’ve all messed up.
And while I’m by no means excusing the behavior of people who’ve made choices that intentionally or unintentionally hurt, harmed, complicated, or ruined the lives of others, as a Christian, I’m particularly surprised to see other Christians wilding out on social media and in-person about the latest public scandal or controversy stemming from well-known public figures, local leaders in our communities, family members, friends, and even different colleagues. The gossip. The whispers. And the judging is all too much to take in at times. When I interact with people like this, I wonder, What about your archives, though?
This question has humbled me and even taught me to be careful about making snap judgments and perceptions about people just because they’ve made mistakes, bad decisions, or poor choices. What if God publicly displayed every single mistake, shameful secret, and embarrassing choice you had in your archives? I imagine you would sit down, shut your mouth, and think twice before speaking on someone else’s life. We don’t have to agree with one another. We don’t have to like everyone we meet. And we don’t have to give people second chances, but in this world, with all its division and hatefulness and ugliness, we can still show mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion to others. Even when they’ve made mistakes. I believe it can be done. So as you move throughout this year, I encourage you to pause before you judge. You too have archives, and while it’s not my intention to guilt-trip or shame you, just know, none of us are perfect.