Why do people come into church late and then proceed to climb over people to get to a seat? This and other thoughts were going through my mind recently on a Sunday morning.
Gaylon and I were seated about halfway back in our church auditorium. I like sitting there because there is plenty of leg room, and no one must climb over you to get to a seat. There is a natural divide between the two sections in the auditorium. I love those seats.
One Sunday, a family came in late and proceeded to look for seats. I saw quite a few seats that were easily accessible for four people. In my mind, I am thinking the logical thing is to take seats that do not require climbing over people. This family did not do what my mind was telling them to do!
I noticed they selected seats that required about six people to either step out for them to get on the row or sit down so they could get into those seats. Come on, people! Where is your common sense?
When they finally reached the seats they had chosen, the couple beside them hugged them so tightly. They knew each other. The family already sitting there had invited them to the church service.
As the invitation was given, one of the visitors raised their hand for prayer. I had jumped to a very bad decision about these people looking for a seat!
How many times do we find ourselves jumping to conclusions about others without knowing all the details? We often make judgments based on how things appear, yet there is a very good chance that there are details we do not know.
There is no way that we can know the motives of another, nor can we know all the circumstances surrounding things we see. Often, what we think we know, we really do not. As we walk through life with others, before we “go-off” on someone by deep sighs, eye rolling, blowing our horns angrily, or spewing our opinions, let’s remember that only God is all-knowing. Contrary to what we might think, jumping to conclusions is not a beneficial form of exercise.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:18