When you look at people how do you see them? Honestly we must confess that we judge people quickly most of the time. Sometimes we see people struggling in life and we blame them for their situation. We say things like “He should go get a job.” Or “She should help herself before she asks for help.” Norm Lawson told a story in one of his sermons about Hollywood photographer Harry Langdon that he read in the GUIDEPOSTS magazine. Langdon was renown for his work and credited that by saying the key to taking good pictures is to find the edge in pictures. He explained that the edge is that extra oomph that catches your eye and draws you to look at the photo. There was a time he used anger and coercion to find that edge. Then one day he bumped into a sales girl at a health food counter. She was wearing a sweatshirt with The truth will make you free, printed on it. Harry was intrigued. He didnt feel free. He felt trapped. He felt that his life wasnt worth anything. He actually felt he was using the people he was photographing. He got into a conversation with this salesgirl, and the next thing he knew, she was inviting him to her church. And even more amazingly, he was accepting! And he found Christ there. He found truth there. He found freedom there. At first his new-found belief made a disaster for him. He tried to convert everyone who came to his studio by pointing out the error of their ways. His clients began to back away. His income dwindled. Finally Harry went to his pastor to learn what he was doing wrong. I know you mean well, the pastor said, but people sense judgment in you. The Bible is very clear that we are to love others and leave the judging to God. And Harry Langdon changed again. It took time. He began to see people in a new light. He sees them as the people that God made them to be. And thats the picture he focuses on. As believers in Christ we must begin to look at people like Jesus looks at people, and with less judgment. As believers in Christ we must begin to see the needs of people rather than judge them for being in the poor situations they are in. WHEN HE SAW THE CROWDS, HE HAD COMPASSION ON THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE CONFUSED AND HELPLESS, LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD. (Matthew 9:36 NLT)
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 10:38:58 +0000
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