When my mother-in-law recently came to visit, she brought with her about half a dozen old-looking, wrinkled oranges. They did not look pleasant. When she saw my reaction she laughed and told me she had had the exact same reaction when they were given to her. She warned me that the rind was thin, which made it tougher to peel, but if I made the effort to do so, an amazing burst of flavor awaited me. She was right. They were delicious! But one would have never guessed so from how they looked on the outside.

When I thought about this, it hit me that too often I make the same snap judgments about people. It might be because of the way they dress, their lack of hygienic care, the way I observe them interacting with others… there are numerous reasons I make surface-level judgments about others. But when I have taken the time to confess my judgment before the Lord, put it aside and instead chosen to interact with those I had just judged, I have often found a beautiful “gem” of a person inside.

I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to immediately convict you when you make a snap judgment about someone. And when you feel that conviction, let it be a reminder that maybe that is the person God is asking you to reach out to.

God bless you,

Noree

Photo Credit: Noree Wegmeyer