The Other Side

I've often spoken of not judging others based on the bad things they do. But the thought occurred to me that we often do the opposite. We will see someone who seems particularly wonderful and we elevate that person. We then start thinking, why can't my spouse/son/daughter/parents/godparents be like that?

The main problem with this sort of thinking is not that there are some genuinely good people who often do very good things, things which should be emulated, but that these same people have sins and struggles that we don't see or know about. Of course this is intentional. No one wants others to know their weaknesses and downfalls. Everyone wants to make a good impression and to a very large degree, we should make the very best impression we can, so as to most truly represent Christ in us.

But on the other side of this is our response to those around us. To elevate someone is to have a false image of that person and attribute to them things that simply are not honest. It sets a standard of expectation for others that cannot be met. It will ultimately lead to disappointment.

This is really a matter of balance. On one hand, we should think the best of people and never judge anyone for the sins and weaknesses. But on the other hand, we need to realize that people are sinful and often do stumble. The goal is to have a standard for which we strive, actually strive to attain it and understand that we will often fail in our attempts to do so. But also to assume that others are in the same position as we are. We simply don't know the details of their story.