Still Water Moments - The Art of Differentiating Part II: We, the Peers
Colossians 3:12
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Teachers that work with primary and secondary grades most likely have needed to converse with their students about equity in learning. It is comprehensible that a student may not understand why their peer may be able to use a calculator during a math test while he/she cannot. Such situations foster teachable moments and life lessons in which the teacher explains that in order for every student to succeed, various supports need to be available to meet individual needs for learning. While peers may see and be privy to accommodations and academic level groups among students, a teacher never discloses the grades and personal learning/academic details of a student to the class as those particulars are between the teacher, student and their families. Just the same, Christ individualizes our “lessons” according to where we are in our walk with Him; our “learning styles”; and personalities because He is a personal God. Thus, we shouldn’t ever judge another’s walk because we aren’t privy to all of these details.
There is a difference in knowing what a person has gone through versus actually experiencing it yourself. For example, if two people were to experience the same difficult situation, their response and management of it will most likely be different. There are so many intricacies that make us who we are: temperament, upbringing, economic status, education, living environments, life experiences, traumatic events, support systems, etc. All of these factors and more have shaped the individuals we are today and our approaches to life. Thus, to make statements like, “Well, if that were me…” most likely is not fair. In these instances it would behoove us to take heed to the direction in the theme verse, Colossians 3:12.
There are some things about ourselves we don’t even know. This is another reason it is not beneficial to judge another, as we all have our own blind spots. However, Christ knows what they are! Just as the schoolteacher knows his/her student’s academic abilities and how to individually cater to them, Christ knows His children and how to individually grow each of us. While a school teacher may have a snapshot of a child’s make-up in a given school year, God is the Master Teacher and knew us before the foundation of the world. He knows every single thing about us, including our future. Thus, He considers these things, blind spots and all, when He individualizes our spiritual growth. This is what we call progressive sanctification. Therefore, if our growth is progressive and God is in charge of managing the progress, who are we to judge the progress of another? Whatever private information we are privy to about an individual should be covered in prayer. When a person shares details of a sensitive situation they are experiencing or God gives you discernment and impresses upon your heart to pray for someone, it should be an honor to be trusted as a tool of healing for that person. God is using you in helping to uplift someone and further the love of Christ and that cannot be taken lightly.
Reflection: Think of the people God has impressed upon you to pray for. What ongoing steps do you take to ensure that this responsibility doesn’t gradually veer into judgment?
