Adjusting our attitude about first impressions

Have you ever caught yourself judging someone by their appearance? It is amazing how prideful we can be while also living in denial about it. We've all heard stories about the person who drives into the car lot in a modest vehicle and from a general perspective seems very ordinary. He heads straight toward the most expensive models as the sales people watch and secretly mock him instead of waiting on him. Finally, one of them approaches to ask what he is doing completely unaware this individual is very wealthy and could easily purchase the entire dealership. So, why do we act this way? Because sadly our mind is trained to make instant judgments based completely on the outward image.

I have noticed in my own life, when I am busy running errands around town and just wearing a t-shirt, cargo shorts and a baseball cap, people hardly speak or acknowledge me but when I am dressed in my suit and tie, especially my Fire Department chaplain dress blues, I receive all types of friendly nods, smiles and the admiration of respect. I can be waiting in line looking like I've been mowing the grass and no one seems to care but if I am dressed up I hear responses like "just one moment sir" or "sorry to keep you waiting" like my appearance alone is worthy of a higher level of attention and consideration.

We have read the words of Christ when he said, "Judge not lest you be judged" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but for some reason we always believe this is referring to someone else. The idea is for all of us to realize that pride is very ugly and tries to convince our mind that we are better than other people. The truth is, we are all pitiful sinners and need to pray for humility so that our eyes can be opened to stop associating value with appearance and we can start seeing what is true and good in everyone.

A man sat at the Metro Subway Station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played for about 45 minutes during rush hour, and it was calculated that over a thousand people passed by him on their way to work. He had opened his case while he was playing and every now and then someone would toss in a little something. In the time he was there, only 6 people actually stopped for a moment to listen, no one applauded and only one person commented that he looked familiar. When he finished playing, he put a few dollars and a handful of coins in his pocket, packed up his instrument and quietly walked away. No one had realized the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most renowned musicians in the world and this violin virtuoso had just performed one of the most intricate musical pieces ever written using a Stradivarius valued at 3.5 million dollars. Here he was playing incognito as a starving artist when only two days before, Mr. Bell was the talk of the town at a sold out theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each. So what was the difference?

This mini concert was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about human perception, value and significance and concluded if our lack of sensitivity can prevent us from recognizing and appreciating the awe inspiring, then what else might we be missing that is happening all around us? Jesus taught in Matthew chapter 25, that our attitude toward other people is actually the way we are treating Him and sometimes I seriously wonder if we would even recognize Him? It is important to renew our thinking and look beyond our judgmental first impressions so that we might respect and see all people the way God sees them.

Dr. Holland lives in Central Kentucky with his wife Cheryl, where he is a Christian outreach minister and chaplain. Each week, look for his faith column, "LIVING ON PURPOSE" to find thought provoking messages of inspiration, hope and encouragement. To learn more visit: billyhollandministries.com