A few weeks ago, I posted a video of a sermon.
During the video, a little kid runs up onstage and interrupts the service.
The pastor makes a joke, chases the little kid down, and laughs about the whole thing.
It was 86 seconds of footage, but it was enough for us to judge a few things:
1. The soul of the pastor.
2. The reality that he was pompous.
3. That this is the reason people don’t come to church.
4. That this church teaches people that the pulpit is unapproachable.
5. That this misbehaving kid was actually approaching the pulpit in some sort of Samuel hears God’s voice kind of way.
Is that an awful lot to accomplish in 86 seconds of footage? It is, it really is, but never underestimate the ability of us Christians to judge.
Now hopefully, none of us will find ourselves in the same position.
God help us if, in the middle of doing your job, in the middle of doing something people think is scarier than death (public speaking), a child interrupts you. God help us if, someday, someone films 86 seconds of footage of you in an unplanned moment and then proceeds to eviscerate you online.
So what do we do with moments like that? How do we stop being so incorrectly judgmental? (All judgment isn’t bad judgment.)
I have a solution.
I think we need to use our powers of judgment for good.
I think we need to band together, like the Hulk joining the Avengers, and use our powers for the greater good of mankind.
How?
We start helping people judge which checkout line at the store is going to be the fastest.
Think about it. It’s Christmas. Most stores are like Mad Max’s Thunderdome right now. There are no rules. Street justice dominates the aisles, stuff is on fire, wearing appropriate clothing is optional.
And into that chaos, we Christians step. We stand there, using our judgment mojo to direct traffic.
“No, go to line 8. That girl is hopped up on Monster Energy drink. She will whip you out of here like Will Smith’s daughter’s hair.”
“Yes, choose line 7. That employee just started their shift. They are fresh and happy.”
“No, avoid aisle 12. That employee is so mad and grumpy right now. They are molassess in a blue apron. Abandon all hope!”
Think about the difference we could make!
Let’s not fight it. We’re a judgmental lot. Embrace it friend. Get in the car. Go shopping. Open the gates and seize the day!
