This next Pew is likely to offend, although it is not my intention. I hope to create dialogue and discussion, and say what I am about to say with an open mind. I wouldn’t want to be the same person I was twenty years ago in attitudes. Time and experience has taught me a great deal, but I hope I haven’t stopped learning.
I want to suggest that as we study history, we include in our openness to look beyond someone’s faults. I don’t mean not know about them or ignore them, but to also look beyond people’s faults to the good in each and every one of us who have walked the earth. We all have faults. We are all products of the way we were raised and our environment. I personally have and had faults that rank right up there, but I hope and pray everyday that I will improve, learn, and when possible reconcile and make amends.
There is evil, and wrong, and hate in this world, but there is also joy, kindness, and goodness. For each of us our glasses are not completely filled or completely empty. Some are not worthy of the honors they receive, and some deserve a lot more honor.
When we look beyond the faults, we take a step in God’s shoes. Try them one, they are one comfortable fit.
Webb, I didn’t find anything about this post offensive but agree with it completely. When I think about how I judged others, focus on my perception of their faults in previous years… and even now occasionally… I realize that one of my own perceived faults/shorcomings/failings was usually in the driver’s seat… that looking for the faults of others somehow softened my view of my own faults. It took a lot of years to really understand that none of us is anywhere near perfect, but we ARE all perfectly unique. There is great beauty in that!
Tom