It's especially true when it comes to people. Human beings are complex creatures that have had a unique personal journey. Everyone's personal experiences are totally different from the next person and it would be ignorant to assume that we could know just where someone is on their journey through life when we encounter them.
The Lord reminded me of that very fact yesterday when I encountered someone who I had totally misjudged due to their outward appearance.
I was in our local post office when a man entered. He had pulled up in front riding a girls bicycle. In his hand he carried a rather large portable speaker with gangster rap blaring from it. His clothes were the same style that I had seen on the rough streets of South Central Los Angeles hundreds of times topped off with a Miami Dolphins baseball cap on sideways.
I made a judgement call right away, this guy was a thug.
As I was retrieving my mail this so called thug noticed that someone had forgotten their keys in a nearby mailbox. He shouted out, "Anyone in the back that can here me, I found these keys here in this mailbox. They ain't mine, so I'm going to put em here in the mailbox so they can come back and get em."
He looked at me and said "I don't want nobody thinkin I'm up to something."
I replied "You shouldn't worry about it, you did the right thing."
He responded, "No, I did the godly thing."
That one statement prompted a ten minute conversation about Jesus.
My new friend said, "I bet that you wouldn't think that someone like me would love Jesus would you?"
That is when I noticed the large tattoo of Jesus on his shoulder.
I responded and then he laid some truth on me, "The only person who can defeat me, is me. This flesh is my only weakness. As long as I keep my mind and soul on the savior I have victory."
He continued, "Man it's not about the color of our skin, you and I are brothers in Christ. We are of the same family."
The conversation ended with a handshake and long spirit filled hug.
In parting my new friend said, "Have you seen those feed the children ads on TV? You see this envelope? It's real simple, I just put my check in here and put it in the box. It's that simple. This is the second time I've done it. You gotta give what you can."
I have to admit that I was moved by the experience. I had totally misjudged this man by what he looked like. In that moment the Lord taught me that it isn't the clothes someone wears but the substance of their character and their walk with Jesus that ultimately defines who they are. We should NEVER assume that we know what kind of person someone is inside by what we perceive outside.
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