Seeing Past Stereotypes

Seeing Past Stereotypes

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

It wasn’t until I was sadly descending the steps of Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral located in New York City, having discovered its massive wooden doors locked, that my stereotype of New Yorkers was shattered once and for all.

I’d started walking back down the sidewalk when I heard a suspicious “psst” from an older-model car parked on the street. I turned warily toward the car, where a stranger was pointing my family to a small side door tucked in St. Paul’s stone walls at street level. He explained that we had about ten minutes before he had to lock up the building.

A bit stunned by the unexpected kindness of our new friend, I thanked him, and then my family slipped through the side door and down a quiet hallway. We reached the entrance to the sanctuary threshold, where we beheld a masterpiece of plaster and stained glass, fashioned circa 1808—a riot of color and Jesus and wonder so big that my entire family stood transfixed for several moments before we silently moved inside the sanctuary to explore.

You see, I had steeled my tender Midwestern heart for this trip to the big city, bracing myself for interactions with people who are brisk and without patience for gawkers from flyover country. I’d heard all the stories, and much to my chagrin, I believed them. I forgot for a moment that we humans are messy, nuanced creatures, not all good or all bad, incapable of accurate description by sweeping stereotypes.

And isn’t that just like God? He confronts our wrong thinking head-on, acknowledging our mistaken assumptions even as we are reminded that God can use anything and anyone to accomplish his goals. Jesus didn’t stereotype people. In fact, he routinely tore down stereotypes and embraced those rejected by polite society. Treating others as nuanced individuals, recognizing their humanity instead of stereotyping, seeing others as God sees them rather than as the labels we use to sort and dismiss—this is what Jesus did, what he is gracious enough to do for us, and this is what we are to do for others.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Reevaluate your stereotypes, considering how they might be holding you back from the blessing of an unexpected new friendship.