In 2017, Sonia and I had the privilege of participating in a pilgrimage across Israel called The Footsteps of Jesus, led by our dear friend Bob Rognlien.
One of the many life-changing moments came just after our group of Americans stepped out of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. It’s a place where people from all over the world come to worship Jesus—often in ways that felt very unfamiliar to us. For some in our group, those expressions even created a sense of discomfort.
Right there, in that moment, Bob said something I’ve never forgotten:
“Let us be very slow in judging other people’s piety.”
That idea has stayed with me.
It’s shaped how I think about not just moments like that one, but about people’s spiritual journeys in general. Among even our closest discipling relationships, I don’t think there are any two people at the exact same place. We’re all moving, growing, questioning, learning—just at different speeds and in different ways.
As a lifelong learner closing out my sixth decade on this earth—and in God’s kingdom—I’m realizing something: God never stops maturing me. He continues to deepen my understanding, refine my perspective, and expand my awareness.
Some of my thoughts on spiritual matters are different today than they were ten years ago. In some cases, they’re different than they were just a year ago.
And if history is any indicator, that will continue.
Because of that, I’m learning to hold my opinions and judgments more loosely. I’m becoming more comfortable with the mystery of Jesus—not just the parts that feel clear and certain, but also the parts that don’t.
There’s a tension there. Mystery and reality, both at the same time.
And maybe maturity looks less like having everything figured out—and more like learning to walk faithfully within that tension.
I try not to sound dogmatic, though those closest to me would probably say my passion sometimes comes across that way.
But underneath that passion is something quieter forming:
A desire to listen more.
To judge less.
And to recognize that God is at work in people’s lives in ways I may not fully understand yet.
Even when it looks different than I expect.
A couple questions to consider:
- Where might you be judging someone else’s journey too quickly?
- What would it look like for you to hold your convictions with both humility and confidence this week?