Judgment

One of the lectionary readings for the week is 1 Corinithians 4:1-5:

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.

Judgement. I noticed a few things in this passage that made me ask questions:

• I had never connected the idea of being trustworthy and non-judgmental, but when I think about, there have probably been times when I have judged other people, and it has made me a less capable servant of God.
• "I do not even judge myself." Right. Not judge myself? How does one go about preventing that?

Could it be that judgment is belittling? Could it be that as we judge other or we judge ourselves that we see the one who is judged as less? In God's eyes, we are never less. We are always his children.

Image: Dogwood in Ritter Park last weekend -- I thought we were done with dogwood, and there they were.