For real, Lord? I was sort of expecting it to be more along the lines of ...oh, I don't know.... something a little more tangible, maybe? Like how I spend my time or some obvious attitude adjustment that needs to take place. But no. You go and bring up "assumptions"?
So my initial thought? Alright, Lord. So you're talking about judgements or prejudices here, right? I get it. We both know that those, on any level, are never healthy. Racial, social or religious ones, it doesn't matter. Making assumptions about someone based on exterior information isn't fair.
You know. Like:
They look different from me, so....
They homeschool their children, so the kids must be socially stunted and a bit on the slow side...
They're on welfare, so they must be lazy...
She prettier than the other girl, therefore she must be more fun...
He has tattoos and body piercings. Quick, lock your door... On and on our assumptions freely fly.
Okay, Lord. I didn't think I held those views in my heart, but I understand. Help me to ...
Except, He finally interrupts me and my lightning speed I-got-it-all-figured-out mindset. Only to further explain his thoughts regarding assumptions. at least the ones that I am to give up:
Assumptions of what I think others think about me.
Say what?
Uh-huh. That's right, Smart Girl. Far too often you let what you assume others think or feel about you to be your grid. regarding how you approach them...or refrain from approaching them. And it's got to stop.
*crickets chirp in the distance*
I sit there. sort of soaking it all in. It's so not what I expected. Assumptions. Who knew? And then just when I think I have that figured out, he goes and throws me another curve ball. Assumptions...but not about other's lives, but about other's assumptions about my life?!
The whole thing sounds migraine-inducing, doesn't it?
Yet. Even now, I know that it's true. I can see where I assume someone feels a certain way about me...whether good or bad...and respond to them accordingly. where I allow myself to create some sort of judgement based on an inward insinuation regarding how they perceive me...and then I either embrace them. or cut them off at the proverbial knees.
Relationally speaking and all. I speak of only machetes-of-the-mind. ;)
So now what? ...Yeah. Not sure. but that's the exciting part of being in relationship with the Lord, isn't it? He leads us step by step. He's good like that.
Even when I assume that he's not.
And yes, I'm sure I have some major assumptions about his outlook on me and my life as well. Things that will get exposed in the not-to-distant future. In fact, I'm counting on it.
