The place was packed, and the line moved slowly. It was too early, and I hadn’t slept well. Call me grumpy. When I finally plopped my bagel and coffee onto a table outside, a message on the sleeve of my cup screamed at me in all happy caps: WAKE UP AND GET IT TOGETHER. I was a little less than amused. Maybe what frustrated me most was the assumption that I did not have “it” together. I needed some grace-filled coffee. 

By the time I headed back inside for a refill, I felt a little understanding settle around me. Every day, I look at the way those around me handle their money, disregard their health, discipline their children, dishonor their parents, and speak out on social media. I sometimes even smugly think they should wake up and get it together. My quickness and ease in condemning others isn’t always easy to admit. But then I remember that God is full of grace.

God’s grace reaches out to us when we have a bad attitude or when we allow a desire to cross the sin line. His grace flows freely over us and puddles at our feet when we are worn, wayward, or forlorn. His grace is automatic to His children; we do nothing to earn it. But our humility may be the golden ticket for an extra scoop or two of His grace.

Sadly, the opposite is true as well. Scripture clearly states that God will oppose us when we are filled with pride. That position—against the almighty God of the universe—is not somewhere we ever desire to be. Yet, every time a little judgment, also known as pride, rears in us, that risky place is where we land.

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

~1 Peter 5:5 NIV

We can remain more aligned, settled, and humble if we tuck away our pride and stop promoting ourselves to sit as judges. Then, we can accept and love people where they are in their journey. We could encourage and help them develop into more of what God designed them to become.

The next time you see someone you believe should get it together, pause and take a deep breath. Assume there’s more to their story than we know. Let’s suppose they are doing the best they can. This will be easier if we consider Jesus as our example and motivation. Remember the buckets of grace He has poured over us.

Instead of giving your judgment so quickly, withhold it. Instead of withholding grace, pour it from buckets. Be generous in giving grace to others. 

Dear Heavenly Father, too often, my judgmental reactions spill over onto those around me. Help me to capture those types of thoughts and turn them into thoughts that reflect the grace You pour out for me each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Nonfiction

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