“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24, ESV)
Congratulations go out to Elliot Tanner, the youngest member to graduate from The University of Minnesota. Elliot earned a Bachelor of Science Degree last April in Physics at the age of thirteen. Some have compared Elliot to Sheldon Cooper, the quirky character featured in the situation comedy, Young Sheldon.
Yet unlike Sheldon, Elliot Tanner is socially well-adjusted. He relates easily with his professors and collegiate classmates, while maintaining a childlike enthusiasm for playing kickball with students his own age. Elliot defies most stereotypes of someone who is intellectually gifted.
Jesus cautioned his disciples not to make evaluations of others based on initial appearances. First impressions don’t always make the most accurate assessments. Or as the adage goes, don’t judge a book by its cover.
I learned this lesson the hard way early on in life. I once swam competitively for a local team in southwestern Ohio. During a swim meet, I sized up my competitor as a frumpy, unathletic stooge whom I would breeze passed to victory. To my regret, he left me in his wake and I lost by three body lengths.
It was a painful experience. Yet I learned a valuable lesson. People aren’t always what you make them out to be.
I once took a flight to Orlando. I sat next to an unruly toddler. By the end of the journey, everyone on the plane knew Jared’s name. Jared’s mother did little to corral her child. She appeared unconcerned with her son’s unruly behavior.
My initial thought was to criticize her for her lack of parental control. Instead, I asked a question. “Are you O.K.?” Large tears swelled in her eyes as she replied, “My son and I are headed
to Florida to bury my father. I never had a chance to tell him, ‘Goodbye’.”
Well, the next time you have the urge to label someone, I encourage you to take a deep dive and ask a question or two. Get some background information. Taking such actions may save you from waves of regret.