I always thought this referred to trying to cheat someone when they were buying from you so it really didn't apply to me. But this morning I saw a whole new perspective. "Unconscious bias" is being talked about in the industry a lot today. Ideas, people groups, marital status, socio-economic classes--all of these and more are areas in which we might have a conscious or unconscious bias. When we treat people differently than those who are "like us."
The other day I was at work and told a client that unfortunately there was going to be a hold placed on the check he wanted to deposit. I realize that can be a touchy subject so I started out kind and compassionate. However, it quickly deteriorated as he got in my face about it. I was discussing this interaction with a co-worker and I quickly saw how I was using "differing weights and measures" with him. What I might have done to help someone who asked about it in the same kind tone as me did not happen because he was being different than me. I was being kind; he was being unkind.
You might think, like me, that because he was rude he didn't deserve to receive the excellent service I like to pride myself on normally. But what did I do to deserve God's grace? What did I do to deserve the sacrifice that Christ willingly made? Even though Christ prayed, "God, I don't want to have to do this!" When God replied, "My Son, if you choose to say 'no' to this Carolyn won't have a way to be with us for eternity because she just can't stay holy and perfect. She's flawed and only human," Jesus decided I was worth the sacrifice. Now, that wasn't exactly the way the conversation went, but that's what it meant in a nutshell--for each one of us.
Today I will be especially conscious of those who are different from me. I will consciously not use differing weights and measures when I respond to their needs. I will choose to love as Jesus does--across the board, everyone equal, no favorites, not judging whether they are deserving or not. Because today I will remember what Jesus chose when God reminded Him of me.
Commentaires