(Audio version also available here.)

I sort of don’t get it… What’s the deal with all the judgement? You know almost without thinking about it who these people are in your life. You feel their judgement of you in their presence, and you hear them always gossiping about others. It’s like, that’s just what they do. And they can hardly help it. Like it’s a hobby, I guess? 

But it really is baffling… So many go around constantly sharing their judging opinions as if they seriously expect that everyone should have the same thoughts and opinions that they have. Can you imagine a world like that? Some might think it sounds delightful. We’d all be on the same page, and we’d all get along — Right???

Umm… I hate to break it to you, but this just would not work …Ever! Think about it for one second. That is, one second beyond your opinion that she or he must be crazy or weird for not seeing things like you do. Really!? If she thought exactly the way you thought, this world would not work. Not so beautifully colorful anyway, would it?

Let me explain a little more. Think of your family for example. Think about how different each of you are. Your brother, your sister… you. Night and day in some aspects. It’s crazy, right?! One of you loves to read, one of you loves to watch football. One loves to work with numbers, one loves to work with kids. One loves to discuss politics, one loves to discuss psychology, while another doesn’t like to talk much at all. One cries a lot, one laughs a lot. One’s an introvert, one is an extrovert. One is great at entertaining large groups, one is great at counseling others one of one… 

Your parents probably wonder how people raised under the same roof could be so different. But, maybe that’s the way God intended and your parents didn’t actually have everything to do with it after all? That’s what I’m thinking. But, you better believe all these different interests, create different opinions, and create different people. And before you’re so quick to get annoyed that your weird sibling (or cousin, in-law, co-worker or friend) doesn’t see things the way you do, can we maybe consider that these differences are actually quite beautiful?

Think about this… God made us all so uniquely different to make this world such a beautiful place. And to get lots of good stuff accomplished. For example, I think this world needs dedicated moms and dads to raise the future, no doubt. And the truth is, I didn’t use to understand a friend who didn’t want to have kids. BUT, now I see such a bigger picture…  Believe it or not, she may have something different, and still so special, to bring to this world that maybe I don’t. With five kids, I may not make the sacrifices required to become the CEO of some huge company. But, you better believe I now how much we need fierce female leaders who have the capacity to demonstrate to the youth of today, in all sorts of ways, that they can play big with the best of them! 

Think of all the things that you just don’t “get.” Like people who want to be surgeons and get their hands really dirty, like garbage men who collect your trash, accountants who help with the bills, musicians who entertain, authors who write, teachers who educate, soldiers who defend our country. If you’re like me, your stomach turned when you considered a few of those roles for yourself. I may have no interest in some of these things, but I absolutely thank God he planted the desires in someone. Amen?!

It absolutely is beautiful. All kinds of people… taking care of all kinds of people. It truly does take all kinds, that are each SO valuable to the world. And, man, I want to learn from them! I want to show them how valuable they are. 

All these unique interests directly and indirectly help each and every one of us. Friends, next time you question someone’s opinion, remember, it came from a special person God created with unique gifts and interests that were intentionally made different than yours. Gifts that came along with specific callings not for you, but for them. Gifts that came with different experiences too… forming and shaping their unique opinions that have such value and significance in this world. Opinions that you would only understand if you lived in their shoes.

I’m not saying you should agree with, or even understand, everyone’s thoughts and interests. But, you know what I think would be awesome??  The next time you find yourself judging someone for an opinion that doesn’t agree with yours… Respectfully ask them to share more about their thoughts. Ask them to share more about their story. Get to know where all that value came from. Get to know them. Get to appreciate them. 

There is a beautiful story under the uniqueness of each person. I think we can learn so much from each other if we would open our hearts and minds a little more. That doesn’t mean your desires will change, and your opinions may not might budge either. But…

You are flawed, just let them.  And you are beautiful, just like them. Their opinions came from their past and experiences, just like yours. God created them, and God created you. God loves them, just as much as He loves you. 

So maybe we can learn to judge a little less, listen a bit more, and then love even more. 

It takes all beautiful kinds, my friends. 

(Audio version also available here.)

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