With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. James 3:9-10
How often do we make assumptions about people around us? How often do I glance down when a homeless person gets on the public transit with me? How often do I respond with judgement and fear over love and understanding? Every week I talk with, laugh with, and pray for women who the world often sees as lesser or unworthy because of the situation they have found themselves in. Over these months the Lord has convicted me and shown me how prejudiced my heart has been and even can be towards his beautiful creation. These women were created in God's image just as much as you or I, they have passions, talents, and dreams. God wants them to come to Him just as He at one point called us, they are in need of forgiveness just as much as we are. Just the other day as I was helping some of the women try on some new clothing and shoes, that had just been donated, one of the girl started dancing around the area while another women and I laughed and cheered her on. It was such a "normal" moment I almost broke into tears. How I wish more people got a chance to know and love these women the way I do. How I wish we could change the way women and these women in particular are viewed by the world. How much more hope and oppertunity would be offered to these women.
We are no better or worse then these women and yet how often do I personally hear or hear of comments about how they aren't worth it, that they have asked to be in this situation, and so many other horrible things; these things come from believers as often as not. God created each of us with a plan and a purpose which means each one of us, no matter what this sinful broken world has thrown at us, is worth of respect, love, choice, and a chance to know the hope of our Savior. In saying this last thing trust me as I say I must pray it for myself as well, next time you see someone in need, instead of judging or turning away, try instead asking what you can do to love them the way Jesus did.
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinner?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."