Breathe easy, this post has nothing to do with fire and brimstone and everything to do with looking at other people in a positive light.That's right, I'm talking about an aspect of the parable that has been commonly brushed over: give people a chance!
The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. . .Have you ever judged someone to be a poisonous tare, only to find out later that he was a wholesome grain or vice versa? We often misjudge others and shout for fire and brimstone to be hewn down upon them when perhaps we, ourselves, are truly the guilty party or poisonous tare.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland recently (Tuesday, January 13, 11:00 AM) delivered a masterful devotional at BYU entitled, "Remember Lot's Wife." Amongst other inspiring words, he exhorted, "Let people repent! Let people grow! Believe that people can change and improve! Is that faith? Yes. Is that hope? Yes. Is it charity? Yes, above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried."
We often look for the worst in people, only to later realize how much potential for growth they actually have. Let us look for the silver linings in people more often and commit to set their seemingly blatant flaws aside.
2 comments:
That is very true. It is so easy to focus on other people's downfalls. It takes a lot of charity to look beyond the short comings. This is something we all need help with. That is why I am glad that we have a Savior Jesus Christ to help us with it.
I am very grateful for your thoughts and for Ryan´s too.
Truly, the love of God and Jesus Christ is focusing on the good in all of us and how redeemable we really ALL are.
I LOVE your drawings and photos.
Your site is like reading a wonderful magazine. I enjoy it very much!
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