In this time when there is so much division in our country and our communities, I think we need to take a hard look first at ourselves before we look at others. Jesus taught His followers on the infamous Sermon on the Mount, that we must first take the plank out of our own eye so we can clearly see to help our neighbor with their splinter. I think this is a great teaching but very hard to follow. I know for myself it is much easier to generalize about other individuals or groups of people. One of my strongest desires is to avoid being a hypocrite.
Clearly, the only way I am going to be able to achieve this is by being aware of my own blind spots. In other words, in what ways am I ignorantly generalizing about others. When I make these generalizations, I am being lazy in my thinking and act the opposite of how I really want to be.
I need to ask more questions and really listen to their stories. Work on being less defensive and protecting my ego. And focus on building relationships instead building walls.
Will you choose to see with your heart and with your eyes wide open?
–kevin
