So I saw a dude run a red light tonight. Now, he had stopped for the red light and proceeded to make sure no traffic was coming. Then we went for it and ran that red light increasing his speed exponentially as if he were in a hurry to get across the street. The quickest thing that went through my mind was oh, it must be a green light for them. I looked up, and all lights were red.
You might have made the snap judgement I was in danger of making. Who is this guy? Why does he get to run red lights? Whoa, slow down partner, what’s the rush? How easily we can get caught up with judgments of individuals we don’t even know. I looked up and I realized this guy didn’t just run a red light; he was speeding. He was speeding fast toward Toll Road 45. Now I have not much knowledge of this dude, but here is what I do know. The road he was taking, 45 is the fastest way get to St. David’s hospital located in Round Rock.
Then I started to put myself in that situation. If I had just found out something… or was on my way down that road… I would probably run red lights and speed to get there. I know… I should not be telling you this, but I would. I’m not sure where he was going for sure, but I started processing that part of myself.
Why did I make such a snap judgement? It seems silly for me to do that when I hate it when people do that about me. Does lack of understanding give me the luxury of committing false attribution error? Am I in danger of making judgements about people based upon what little I know about them?
Perhaps this is you. Perhaps someone in your past, someone like me, a guy in a church or youth group or organization affiliated with Jesus did something, or said something and caused you some pain and hurt and you made a snap judgment on who Jesus was and who Christians were based upon this one particular moment where we ran the metaphorical red light. Maybe, just maybe, you need to take a closer look. I’m not excusing ignorance in this post… I am trying to promote understanding. For all I know, that guy was having a baby tonight and I was down on him for safely running a red light.
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Food for thought: Why is it always easier to make judgements than to accept judgments?
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