It was my turn to be called up for jury duty. I thought it would be: go, be called, and serve. That was until the introduction video was played. Over and over it was stressed, because of being an American it was a privilege to serve, and that we had been given great power, to hear the evidence, and rule a person to be innocent or guilty, even the power to condemn to death. At that very moment I became panicked and humbled simultaniously. That is power. To be honest I didn’t want that power. “What if I make a mistake and convict an innocent person or set a guilty person free?” I thought.
I had to pray over it. I didn’t want to do it but if it was God’s will, He needed to give me the ability to hear and understand the evidence presented and make a fair decision.
As I was typing this out it dawned on me, I do this everyday. Most of the time without all the evidence. In this “case” I’m not just the jury, but also the lawyer, and judge. The evidence presented – a person’s personality, appearance, choice of words and even actions.
In James chapter three he states:
“If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, ‘Love your neighbor,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism you are convicted by the law as law breakers.”
One day I was doing car line duty and a woman was dropping her child off in an non- designated area. When I told her she couldn’t, she proceeded to shove her son out the door, all the while telling me her excuses.
My first reaction was ‘Yeah right you just don’t want to go through the line.” Of course I didn’t say it to her. I Just mumbled and complained to myself.
The next day I saw her coming and I was ready with a come back. To my surprise she slowed, rolled down the window, and apologized saying she was on empty and had a bad morning. Over the next few weeks she waved at me as she went by.
Many times I judge without knowing the background. It makes me wonder if I would be less critical if I knew their story. God has called me to act toward others with love. What I need to tell myself is 1. There could be something deeper going on 2. how would God want me to handle this?
I don’t have the right to be the lawyer, juror or Judge. There is only one judge and He knows the heart of every person. My responsibility is to listen and depend on Him to move me in such a way that shows His love. I felt such relief when I was passed over as a juror. I pray that I will become more consistent in looking at others as God sees them.
Are you quick to judge or make assumptions? Ask God for forgiveness and ask Him to change your heart.
“There is only one Lawgiver and judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12 (NIV 1984)
Solitude with the Father 
Christine,having been a member of the religious right for decades, my posture is that the religious right does pray for foes, but you don’t hear that on the news. Not every abortion protest is done in anger, Most are motivated by a love for the civil rights of the unborn and done in Christian love. But the liberal media finds one or two Christians making boo-boos and the whole endeavor is stygimatized as hate or anger. The call of a Christian into politics is often a hard path. Other Believers who choose not to be involved critique your efforts and many wordly folks despise you.On the other hand, I have friends and kin who do not share my views and we agree to disagree, but agreeably. Just a few musings from one who has been in trenches for years, I knows that I am only failed, flawed flesh under the Blood, I must remain true to my call. Love and God bless to you….I feel that you do have some valid perceptions and I want to add mine. And hopefully America will again bless God!
I totally agree. Thank you for your reply. I’m not saying that Christians aren’t praying, I hope they are but how we respond is important especially when the media chooses to show the neg. I believe as we show the love of God. to those around it will become louder than the minority who seems to be heard more. But I also want to us to think about how we deal with the “hard” love people around us. For example, as I do the car the line I have had to get on people’s cases even those who have no right to park in the handicap parking. There have been times when I have said to myself “Speak the truth in Love” Christine. When I have the response has been good. When I haven’t I have been cursed at. I also agree we can and must disagree with those who go against God’s principle but it’s how we do it that is important.