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Community Corner

Judge Kelly: Jury Duty

They were real people with real feelings and real pain. My heart broke as we listened to testimony all week.

The dreaded summons arrived at my door a month ago. Yes, you got it. Jury duty.

A million reasons flashed through my mind why I couldn’t do it, how I could get out of it, and what excuses I could use. As I thought and prayed more about it, I knew it was my responsibility to go. I knew they wouldn’t actually call my number; I was sure of it. Well, long story short, they did, and I was put on a trial as an alternate.

Out of 300 people, they picked me!  

I answered each question as honestly as I could, which, for various reasons, should have disqualified me, but it didn’t. I knew it was a God-thing.
   
The trial lasted a week. I will spare you the details, but it was a nasty criminal case. As much as I love the TV show "Law and Order," I didn’t enjoy this at all. They were real people with real feelings and real pain. My heart broke as we listened to testimony all week. I tossed and turned at night, unable to get the images out of my mind. When they dismissed the jury to deliberate, they let the alternates go.  

I was torn.  

Half of me wanted to give my input and opinions since I had listened to all the facts, but the other half was happy that I didn’t have to make any kind of decision or judgment. Although I felt pretty sure the man was guilty, the weight of actually deciding whether or not someone was going to prison seemed overwhelming.
   
As I meditated on everything I heard during the trial, I realized how glad I was that God is the ultimate judge, and not us. So often we make judgments on other people without really knowing all the facts. We jump to conclusions and point fingers when we don’t really know the whole truth. We are quick to judge others, yet feel betrayed when we ourselves are judged.

James 4:12 says, “There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy.  Who are you to judge another?” It’s better to look at our own heart and actions than to point fingers at others. Romans 14:13 tells us, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
   
Judging others is not our place. Let’s ask the Lord to help us focus on our own sin, rather than the sins of others. Thank you, Lord, that You and You alone are the discern-er of all truth. And forgive us for thinking we know everything about everyone. 

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