condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be
forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
Have you ever made a judgment about a person or situation only
to discover how wrong you were in your assessment? Such was the
case in a story told by Os Guinness in his book, The Call.
“Arthur F. Burns, the chairman of the United
States Federal Reserve System and ambassador to West Germany, was
a man of considerable gravity. Medium in height, distinguished,
with wavy silver hair and his signature pipe, he was economic
counselor to a number of presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to
Ronald Reagan. When he spoke, his opinions carried weight and
Washington listened.
Arthur Burns was also Jewish, so when he began
attending an informational White House group for prayer and
fellowship in the 1970s, he was accorded special respect. In fact,
no one knew quite how to involve him in the group and, week after
week when different people took turns to end the meeting in
prayer, Burns was passed by-out of a mixture of respect and
reticence.
One week, however, the group was led by a newcomer who
did not know of Burns’ status. As the meeting ended, the newcomer
turned to Arthur Burns and asked him to close the time with a
prayer. Some of the old-timers glanced at each other in surprise
and wondered what would happen. But without missing a beat, Burns
reached out, held hands with others in the circle, and prayed this
prayer: ‘Lord, I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus
Christ. I pray that you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ.
Finally, Lord, I pray that you would bring Christians to know
Jesus Christ. Amen.’
Burn’s prayer has become legendary in Washington. Not only did
he startle those present with refreshing directness, but he also
underscored a point about ‘Christians’ and ‘Christianity’ that
needs repeating regularly. It highlights another important aspect
of the truth of calling: Calling reminds Christians ceaselessly
that, far from having arrived, a Christian is someone who in this
life is always on the road as ‘a follower of Christ’ and a
follower of ‘the Way.’”*
Before you judge a situation, consider that your judgment might
not be an accurate assessment of the situation.
......
(Excerpted out of Os Hillman's email devotional. Os is the author of the book Change Agent.)
That we may know Him...
Shalom.
