Monday, January 21, 2013

Don't judge me because I sin differently than you.

In last April's conference President Uchtdorf shared a bumper sticker he had seen on the highway ~ "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you".  It's such a wonderful way to remind us all that not a single one of us is sin free.  We all make mistakes.  We are all sinners.  Yet we are all very good at deciding other's sins are worse than our own.  I once heard a sister talk in a Relief Society lesson on how her 'machines' get a rest on the Sabbath as well (I think the example used was the dishwasher).  Then that evening she posted on Facebook about all the cooking and baking she had done that afternoon with her free time.  There was another time when a brother was talking about how he wouldn't condone the actions of those that would duck out and go to McDonald's during Sunday School, as he was watching a movie that evening.  Now let me be clear - I have done all of these things on the Sabbath, so I am not judging or condemning anyone for their actions.  They are just recent events that have really helped me to focus in on how we are all unintentional hypocrites - myself included.  

This realization has helped me really know what my spiritual new year's resolution needs to be.  I have a strong desire, and need, to stop judging people as if I'm free of sin.  Clearly I'm not, and I'm all too aware of that.  However, when I look at others, I tend to somehow think my sins aren't as 'bad' or 'serious' as theirs.  Which quite frankly, is crap. We all have strengths and weaknesses.  We will all be judged in our own time, for our own action and desires, but the most important thing is that it will be by the Lord.  The only one worthy of doing so as He truly was the only one who could walk this earth in perfection.  

So my desire is to see everyone as the Lord sees them.  To see them as children of a loving Heavenly Father.  Not just those I have relationships with, but everyone.  People I pass on campus, or have class with.  Those I see at the store or work for.  I want to see them as the Lord sees them, and in turn, learn to love them as the Lord loves them.