Prejudgments

Prejudgments. 

We all make them.

And at that, we immediately let them influence how we react.

One thing I have been trying to do lately is not let my prejudgments determine the situation.  Most of the time, things are not how they immediately appear.  But I allow my judgment, whether of a person, situation, or place, to predetermine how I am going to react.  Being an introvert at heart, new social situations are always challenging.  I sit back, I observe, and then I catch myself judging.  Judging who I should talk to, who I should avoid, or what I should or shouldn't do.  Yes, to an extent that is good - it shows caution. But think of it this way.... what happens when your prejudgments inhibit you from interacting with the people that God is placing in front of you?

Imagine if Jesus had prejudged everyone he met. For example, think of his interaction with the Samaritan woman.  (John 4:7-42) If he would have acted (or failed to act) based on the judgment of her being a Samaritan, he never would have been able to give her the gift of his eternal water.  The Samaritan people wouldn't have been draw to Jesus.  Nothing would have happened if he let a judgment get in the way.

We are called to be like Jesus, acting out of faith, hope, and charity instead of our prejudgments.  God places specific people in our lives at different times for  reason.  They are in front of us because he desires for us to interact with them.  I pray that we learn to stop judging, and start being present to those that are right here.