Good At Judging....Bad At Good Judgment

Have you ever been quick to judge and slow to use good judgment?

I have issues with many drivers on the highway. Okay, let’s be honest, I have issues in general! But when it comes to bad drivers, I can get incensed in a heartbeat.

For example, don’t you just hate it when a lane is about to end – it’s been advertised for at least a mile in bold letters and flashing lights – and inevitably, some poor misguided soul tries to get into that very lane and pass you…only to have the lane end and have to merge back into traffic – most often right in front of you. I despise that.

And don’t get me started on motorcycles. I know that there are thoughtful, responsible riders out there who obey the laws and give the entire genre a good name. Yet, for every one of them, there are three idiots on super-speed racing bikes that have zero regard for anyone or anything! They weave in and out of traffic, between lanes, and (the most supreme annoyance), ride wheelies going 60mph down the interstate. That really gets my indignation dander up!

And just today, I was headed out alone to a lunch appointment across town. At one point in the voyage, I found myself in a construction zone and, as is always my luck when navigating narrowed lanes on an interstate, I got boxed in by semi’s! At any rate, ahead of me, there was a person operating (I use that term loosely) a minivan, driving wildly, and swerving from lane to lane. Immediately, my righteous indignation faculty began to engage, and I commenced verbally (remember, I was in the car by myself!) accusing the driver of everything under the sun from being a chronic alcoholic to acting insensitively for talking on the phone or playing with the radio. “What an idiot!” I thought to myself, as I observed how well I was obeying the rules while this would-be moron carved a swath of vehicular desecration ahead of me!

However, as I approached the van to pass, I looked over into the driver’s window – hoping possibly to pass on a judgmental stare – and noticed that the businessman’s white color was covered with blood! As I did a double-take, it was obvious that the man had been struck with an awful nosebleed (nostrils packed with fast food napkins) and was simply trying to get off the highway but couldn’t because of the semi’s. Feeling sheepishly stupid, I pulled in front of him and blocked out a semi so the man could go around and exit off the freeway.

How quick we are to pass judgment on others...and, too often, slow to use the good judgment that comes from seeing an entire situation clearly. And yet, as tempting as it is to be judgmental in a motor vehicle, how often are we tempted to judge the sins of others – in light of our own apparent “righteousness.”

In the story of the prodigal son, we see three parties (the young son, the old son, and the father) and how each of them reacts to the real-life prospect of forgiveness and restoration. As you prepare for congregational worship this week, find yourself in each individual’s sandals and be ready to ask yourself the question, “which person am I?”

As you worship this week:

Meditate – on what is it to be saved – truly saved – by the reconciling hand of the Master.
Contemplate – how your life is/should be different because of the pardon afforded by Jesus’ blood.
Seek – Christ’s capacity to offer forgiveness and compassion to everyone you encounter, no matter their apparent condition or position.
Find – full knowledge of both the acceptance and restoration that is offered through the benevolent, loving Father.

Resounding Themes:

Acceptance
Forgiveness
Restoration
Lost But Found, Blind But Seeing

Getting READY to Worship

Ready, Set, READ

Luke 15: 11-32

Ready, Set, MEDITATE

· As the scene opens, what transaction has taken place? Does this seem natural or out of the ordinary? How does the younger son act? What is the father’s apparent reaction?
· What does the son do with his newfound wealth and freedom? What are his highs? His lows? Eventually, where does he find himself? What does he find himself in need of?
· Upon his return, what scene unfolds between the father and the youngest son? What could have (maybe even should have) happened? What role does the older son play? How does he react to the news? What does the Father tell him about the reality of their relationship? What is revealed about the nature of the father?
· In this narrative, who are the three main characters? What does each one of them represent individually? Which one do you most relate to? Be honest! Which one do you have a hard time coming to terms with?

Ready, Set, PRAY

Lord God, how many sides of Your transcend character can we count? You are all powerful – that is beyond contestation. Your foolishness – if that were possible – demarcates the penultimate of humankind’s wisdom. Your presence is both everywhere and right beside us; we know that full well. You are loving, patient, faithful, righteous, holy, sovereign, forever…what a mighty God we serve!

Yet, in the perfection of all Your characteristics, we see You most clearly as a Father. Indeed, You are the Father Who allows us the freedom to accept or reject a parent’s love. You are the Father that desires honesty in our response to Your advances more than mere adherence or obedience. And You are the Father Who, from a long way off, sees His child returning home from a long voyage in the distant land of rebellion and runs to meet them with open arms of acceptance and forgiveness. If we comprehended nothing more about You than this…it would be enough to praise You!

And yet, You are so much more – too wonderful to comprehend or too lofty to attain. Lord, in our weakness, would You restore us and set us apart for Your purposes? And would you also grant us the ability to see others with Your eyes - the eyes of the faithful, forgiving Father - that we, too, we be reconcilers in the kingdom.

Majestic Father, we seek both Your glory and this blessing.
In and through the power of Your Son.

AMEN.

Ready, Set, WORSHIP!