Careful Who You Pre-Judge

First impressions last forever. We've all heard that, and it really is true. What isn't as true is that first impressions are always accurate, fair, or justified. I think back to when I met our associate pastor. I was in youth and I knew he was coming to take over as youth pastor, and in five minutes of conversation I decided I did not like him. I don't remember what it was he said, but something about him just didn't sit well with me.

Like most of us, I automatically assumed my initial judgment was correct. I decided I didn't like him. I drudgingly decided I would have to put up with him until I turned eighteen and got out of youth. I left that first encounter disappointed, and nervous about how we would end up getting along. I had immediately closed the door to him having influence in my life.

Over time, I realized how wrong I was in that first moment. He became a mentor and friend, and one of the people who has most impacted my life. There are very few people of whom I am as appreciative.I wonder how many people God has tried to place in my life that I dismissed because of a bad first impression. Who is God trying to use in my life that I have tried to push away because they don't strike me as a likely candidate?

Sometimes when we pre-judge people by first impressions we may very well be pushing away the very people that God is placing in our lives to impact us, we may be rejecting the people God has chosen to bless our lives. I know I still do it, and that's something I am working on. Hopefully, as we are more aware, we will all give people a fair chance, instead of rejecting their impact because of something as fickle as a first impression.