Under judgement

I will gather all the nations...to the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2) 

In my early days of Christian ministry I was given some sage advice. I was smarting under the yoke of unjust criticism and a friend pointed me to Dick Lucas' Three Es of Criticism: expect it, examine it, endure it. It's funny. I think I've got reasonably adept at examining even the most absurd attacks and finding useful sources for self-examination and inspiration. And I am always hurt by criticism, unfair or not, but have many resources for speeding its departure. No, the one that still catches me out is its unpredictable appearance. Just when you really think you're on top of things and making a decent job in a difficult situation, there it is. Lighting out of a clear sky.

I suspect most people feel like this about the judgement of God. I've lived a decent life, been fair in my dealings, kind to my neighbours and a good husband and father, or wife and mother. And then I'm meant to believe that God judges me. I know I'm not perfect but who is? 

Now I'm not suggesting that the people called to the valley of Jehospaphat are in this category. It sounds from Joel's description that they thoroughly deserve being called to judgement by God. But we are told that God judges us all. In that lovely phrase of Gandhi's 'I find we're all such sinners I leave the judging up to God'. He examines us and finds us wanting.

Or does he?

I've never been sure it's quite as simple as that. In the final judgement I get it. Christ writes the names of his own in the book of life and they get a free pass, so to speak. All the rest we leave in the infallible hands of the living, loving, infallible God. But in the interim, God's judgement has a different direction. He turns his face on us so we may see ourselves as we really are. Not nice neighbour and decent bloke, but hardened to his love and angry at his interference. Our positive facade is too often a front for doing it my way and relegating the ruler of the universe to the sidelines. He longs for us to come to him and find life and hope and joy, but we won't.

So if you feel judged today then take Dick's advice. Examine it to see what your next step might be. And if you feel judgemental, remember that it always hurts. It doesn't matter how justified you feel, we have a duty to deal gently with each other and no right to expect others to listen when we are unkind. 

A sown field in the sunshine