If there is anyone has been perched upon a high pedestal more often than others, it is arguably Christians. We’re the go-to people when someone needs a helping hand, guidance on some big life-changing decision, a shoulder to cry on or a good employee (yes, seriously). But by the same token, we’re also the people whom many turn away from. We’re the people who are found to be the most hypocritical and judgmental and yes — we’re the ones who can make ‘non-Christians’ feel the most unwelcome and unworthy.

To many, Christianity is reserved for people who have it all together — like the cafeteria table for the prim and proper kids you knew at school. You know, the ones with the perfectly pressed shirts and not a hair out of place. Yeah, those kids. And even though that’s completely FALSE, that’s still the rep that Christians have.

But to be honest, some of us haven’t done a good job of diminishing or completely dispelling that rep. This has nothing to do with the church. It has everything to do with the people. When someone makes a mistake, some of us are ready to bash them over the head with a Bible verse that we hand pick not to uplift the person, but to condemn them ‘in the name of Jesus.’

That’s been happening a lot lately. Just look at recent events — from Caitlyn Jenner to the SCOTUS ruling on legalizing same-sex marriage — many so-called Christians have been having a field day. Though there are Christians who believe that people should be free to live their lives the way they want, there are just as many who make their opinions known and in a not-so-Christian way. So many of us are quick to judge those who don’t see or live life the way we do, and we are quick to cast aside those who aren’t of our religion or those whom we think aren’t living life the way they should be — correction: the way we think they should be.

I say all of this because I think a lot of us Christians need a refresher course on exactly who we’re supposed to be in this world and how we are supposed to behave in the midst of all of these events. Being a Christian isn’t about being perfect. We’re supposed to try every day to make ourselves better, but not better than anyone else. While some of us are busy judging others because of their choices and problems, we forget that we’re the ones who had to be saved as well. As a Christian, who am I to judge my neighbor when I was born a sinner? We need to remember that we’re not supposed to be perfect. Just like everyone else, we’re supposed to be tempted, tried, stressed, anxious, confused and even doubtful at times.

And you know what? That’s OK.

In my own experiences, I struggled with the idea of me being a Christian. I wasn’t perfect — far from it. I made mistakes, had questions, was unsure of myself…the whole nine yards. But I finally realized that I wasn’t supposed to be perfect. I’m just thankful that I was saved by Him who IS perfect. With all of the hateful comments coming from some of us, it taints the image and message we’re supposed to send out into the world. Places like Westboro Baptist Church (eye roll) not only give Christianity and its people a bad name, but most importantly, they give Jesus' followers a bad name. We judge people who don’t know the Bible like the backs of their hand, scold those who aren’t ‘religious’ and turn our backs on those who don’t seem to have it all together. But when I was at church a few Sundays ago, one of our lead pastors said this: “Church isn’t for the perfect; it’s a hospital for the broken.” And we need to start acting like it.

Jesus lived in a world that He didn’t see eye-to-eye with. Heck, some of the disciples were as flaky as the rest of us and didn’t even trust Him at times. But in my opinion, they’re plausible figures, not only for obvious reasons, but because they were so imperfect. Just like you and me.

So what’s with all the judgment? We have the power to shine more positivity, to speak life and love into various situations, yet some of us choose to simply complain and scold. I don’t know how else to say: We have to do better.

Instead of darkening the world with judgment and condemnation, we need to light it up with love. Because THAT’S what Christianity is. None of us is nor will ever be perfect, except for Jesus. We’re just supposed to be the people who relay His message of light and love, not darkness and hate. It’s not our job to decide whether someone is going to hell and who is worthy of going to heaven…but it IS our job to love and love hard.

Bottom line is this: He who is without sin shall cast the first stone.

Any takers?