Editor’s note: As Loma Linda University Health continues a massive construction project to build the new Medical Center and Children’s Hospital towers, the chaplains invite members of the campus to pray and fast each Tuesday, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we continue to grow. Uniting our various entities provides an opportunity for us to truly become acquainted and connected with each other. Below is a devotional from a series in News of the Week exploring scriptures that talk about what the Loma Linda chaplains call “one-anothering.”
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“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” –Romans 14:13
We make dozens of judgments every day. Before we leave the house, we’ve made decisions about what we are going to wear, if we are going to exercise and what we will eat for breakfast. We look at the freeway traffic and choose to take back routes to work; we decide to park a little farther and walk in exchange for a covered parking spot.
Many of the judgments we make are minor and fairly inconsequential. But others may change the course of our lives over time: we ponder our life circumstances and choose what kind of attitude we will hold; we consider personality and character traits of people and bring some into our closest circle of friends.
But it’s what happens to the others — those whom we don’t draw close — that is the focus of this week’s devotional. Scripture is clear about our responsibility toward those who think differently than we do: “Let us stop passing judgment on one another.” Clearly, this is talking about more than where we are going to park for the day. It is a call to change our heart — not just our behavior.
Jesus habitually startled the religious leaders of his day by intentionally reaching out to those whom other people judged as unfit. He bridged the gulf between those who were accepted and those who were shunned. He touched the unclean and restored to favor those who were cast out.
Particularly in this season, we are called to follow his example. We do not have to agree with others’ political views, theology and ideation in order to treat them with civility, courtesy and love.
As we work toward a cohesive Loma Linda University Health, we have opportunities to live with these principles. It is a good time to review — and put into practice — the last verse of that chapter we have heard so often: “But the greatest of these is love.” –1 Corinthians 13:13
Kathy McMillan, MA
Director, employee spiritual care
Loma Linda University Medical Center