judged

This is me trying out for the varsity cheerleading squad in the early 2000s. I found this picture in a box of old photos (along with the encouraging notes from my squad) and had 2 thoughts:

1.)    How in the world was I ever able to get that high off the ground and kick my leg in the air like that?

2.)    Where did all that courage come from and where has it gone?

If, from looking at this picture you assumed I was brave, you’d be wrong. I was terrified. I only did this because I was horrible at all sports that involved a ball and I despised running. If I didn’t play a sport or cheer I either had to take PE or be in the marching band, and that motivated me to try out.

Every student who desired to be on the squad had to try out in front of a panel of experienced judges, the ENTIRE student body, and receive high marks from the teaching staff. No other sport required this type of performance to be on the team. The coach, the person who actually knew what it took the play the sport, decided who made the team.

I mustered up every ounce of courage I had to try out. My confidence grew over the years, but the feeling of being judged by people who had no clue what kind of courage, work, or skill it took to cheer was never easy.  

People will judge you no matter what you do. Perform on a stage, you’ll be judged. Hide in the crowd, you will be judged. Stand out, blend in – you will be judged because people are always watching.

“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself… it is the Lord who judges me… He will bring light to what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of men’s hearts.” (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)

Actions can be judged. I can easily judge the fruit produced from the lives of those around me and quickly tell if it lines up with God’s word or not. I judge the actions of my children on a regular basis. When one hits the other, I intervene and remind them that hitting is wrong, hitting hurts, and that is not how God instructs his people to behave.

I can’t accurately judge their hearts. Only God can do that because only God sees the depths of our hearts. Others haven’t walked in our shoes. They only know what we choose to reveal. And it’s quite obvious that humans are unfair, uninformed, unforgiving, and impartial judges.

But God is not. He is a righteous judge. He sees through the façade. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He created us, He set the standard, and He judges rightly.

So don’t fear the judgment of others, my friend. Their judgements are often a reflection of them, not you. You’ll never be able to please everyone or win their seal of approval. So find comfort in knowing that the God who judges all will do so in truth, in fairness, and in love. And for those who love him and have remained faithful to his word, with his judgement you will receive his praise.