Partiality

I almost didn't make it to church this morning but I am so very glad that I did. I woke up at ten this morning and the worship service starts at 10:30. I was only a few minutes late and am very glad of that. My pastor spoke on the book of James chapter 2 verses 1-13. In this section of scripture James speaks of not being partial to those who are rich versus those who are poor but be fair and merciful to all. I have heard this passage preached on countless times but often forget the lessons that it teaches. A passage my pastor also shared from I Samuel 16:7 "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart." and Acts 10:34 "...I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right , is welcome to Him." (NASB) reminded me how I should look at all people. This is something that I try to do but am sure I fail more often than not. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all look at everyone as being just as important and just as needed as we see ourselves as being. God sees our hearts can't we try to see the hearts of those we come in contact with. Especially those of us who claim the name of the Lord should be the first and best at seeing those around us as being equal and important. Given what I do for a living, the idea of partiality is particular to me at the moment. Why is it that we feel we have the right to play God and decide whether someone else's life is worthwhile. When I began teaching there were certainly more children with Down Syndrome than I currently see. I know of people who look at what I do for a living and say that the children that I have spent 23 years working with do not deserve to live because they may never be able to be a fully contributing member of society. When did the world decide that we know better than God who should have a life? Does being a contributing member of society only mean holding a job and paying taxes or can it also mean bringing joy to others or teaching others to give of themselves to those who are not as much like the rest of us as we might want. I can't imagine the world in which I live without any of the children that I have worked with in the last 23 years. They have been a gift to me and I know that they are a gift to their families as well. Perhaps we all need to take a larger look at what partiality really means. What a gift to be in that service this morning.