Pigeonholed

It seems like every other week or so, I get an e-mail with a fun little personality quiz attached. Thanks to these oh-so-scientific quizzes, I know now what kind of dessert I would be, what sign of affection I most resemble, and where I rate on Dr. Phil's scale (though I can't say that I really care what Dr. Phil thinks of my personality).

When I'm taking these quizzes, I find myself debating over the answers. For example, most of them seem to have some question like, "What's your idea of an ideal date, watching sports or going for a romantic walk on the beach?" Well, I'd have to say both. It really depends on the sport (college football, yes--lacrosse, not so much) and the weather (walking on the beach in freezing rain is not my idea of a great date). So questions like that are rather unfair, in my opinion.

I don't really like to be pigeonholed. My personality is multi-faceted (note that that's different from having MULTIPLE personalities). I don't like to be pegged as one particular "type" and be expected to act that way all the time.

And yet, I do that to other people so often. "She's sensitive." "He's a jerk." "She's a whiner." "He's a cheapskate." I'm quick to peg others according to my (not always accurate) perception of them. Quick to accuse, to make snap judgments. Sometimes I make judgment calls before I even meet the person. Talk about unfair.

Part of our call to be merciful and tenderhearted towards one another includes not rushing to judgment, and also not expecting people to act the same at all times. It goes back to the Golden Rule--not just doing unto others what we'd want them to do to us, but also thinking of them as we would want to be thought of. How I need to remember that.

So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God's mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you. James 2:12-13