As I ran through my neighborhood with my dog on leash, we approached another runner heading in the opposite direction. As we neared, I saw the other runner was a 20-something female really working hard. She was clearly running much faster than me. Perhaps she was training for a race; perhaps she was blowing off some steam after a long week; or perhaps she's just that much faster than me all the time.
But as she zoomed by me in the opposite direction, I realized that she must have seen how slowly I was running. Perhaps she thought I was walking my dog and decided to jog for awhile; perhaps she thought I was injured; or perhaps she just thought I was that slow all the time. In truth, I was afraid she was judging me. And I was indignant. I wanted to turn around and run after her. I wanted to justify myself. I wanted to let her know that I was running that slow on purpose, and that it was all part of a larger plan.
But instead of turning around, I pondered how often I judge other people in just the same way. I see how slow they are and wonder why they aren't faster (you should really run more). I see how fast they are and marvel at their speed (I wish I could be that fast). But maybe what I should be considering is that the man running slowly could have just finished a marathon a few days before. And instead of praising the fast female, perhaps I should consider that she may be burning herself out before her big race next week. Or perhaps the girl asking for a handout on the street corner was just dumped by her boyfriend who took everything she had and kicked her out. Or perhaps the successful man driving the nice sports car is not to be envied because he works long hours at the expense of his family.
Slowly I jogged on, tugging on the leash of my faithful dog who cared not a lick how fast I ran.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2
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