When assumptions aren’t wise
I’m sure that if you’re paying attention at all to the news, you would have heard about the latest gaff by Gavin Newsom. What was initially reported was that he told a mostly black audience that although he had been given many accolades, he actually wasn’t very intelligent, just like those in the audience. He struggled to read, and was just the same as everyone else! It was an incredibly bad look for the presidential hopeful, and it fueled criticism all over social media. It was such a ridiculous statement to make. By trying to be relatable, he insulted everyone in the audience, since he assumed they all struggled with learning just as he did.
Thankfully I had a friend that offered her perspective since she happened to be at the event. Apparently it was NOT a mostly black audience, but predominantly white. The initial reports were wrong. I assumed those reports were accurate since Newsom has proved himself to be a narcissistic snake (anyone else remember the French Laundry restaurant during C0VID?). I wouldn’t have put it past him to be racist as well. However, he’s not racist. He’s just a panderer that assumes everyone is blind and stupid. Clearly he is not the same as everyone else. He is extremely privileged despite whatever learning disability he claims to have. Newsom gets to do things that “normies” would never be allowed to do.
I share this to say we need to be careful when we make assumptions. Our natural biases for or against someone can end up landing us with an inaccurate picture of the truth.
When assumptions are not just good, but important
However, as I was thinking about this situation, I came to realize something. Although assumptions are generally not wise to make, assumptions can actually be a really great tool when we place our assumptions on the right things.
I love one of the latest books we’ve added to our booklist, The Moon is Always Round. I knew it was sad, so I had my daughter read it to me as I cooked. Halfway in, I was bawling. It’s absolutely beautiful. The main character in the book, a little girl, described how she would look at the moon at its different stages and would ask her father if the moon had changed. But the father would always tell her, “The moon is always round.” Throughout the book, the family was described as so excited because they were expecting the birth of their baby. However, right before the baby was to be born, the baby passed away.
I have gone through several miscarriages and it is so hard. Every time. But to carry almost to term and lose that baby would be extraordinarily difficult. I can’t imagine. But at the end of the book, the father explains that just like the moon, God may sometimes seem as if He’s not there or has changed. But He is always there, no matter the circumstances. We may not always understand why something is happening, but we can trust the LORD is always there with us. He does not change.
God is there, always
I’ve thought a lot about this book, and how important that concept is. Life can be challenging for any number of reasons. If life hasn’t knocked you down yet and taken your breath away, it will, at one point or another. How comforting is it to know that the LORD is always there? Whether or not we see Him or feel Him, He does not change. Just like the moon.
When making assumptions about people, we need to have grace. But we also must judge them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). We have plenty of Newsom’s “fruit” (HERE’S just one more piece of rotten fruit) to understand he is not a man to be trusted, whether or not he’s racist. But with the LORD, we so quickly forget His consistent, good fruit. At least, I do.
Easy to forget
Often I am so anxious about the possibilities of what the LORD will allow to happen. My mind can go running off to crazy places, thinking of scary scenarios that one of my children will have to face, or my husband, or myself. And yet, the fruit that the LORD provides for all of us to taste and see, is good (Psalm 34:8). It’s never been bad. We may not know that immediately, but He really does make all things turn out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Why do we so easily assume the worst rather than trust Him for the best? Even when it’s hard?
There are several examples of heroes in the Bible who assumed the best about God in difficult circumstances. Even when they had every right to think otherwise. We have several children’s books that tell these heroes’ stories: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego for one. They were facing literal fire, and yet, they still assumed the LORD was good and was worthy to be trusted. Or Daniel when he was thrown in the lion’s den. Or what about Elijah? As he faced all of the prophets of Baal? Just read Hebrews 11 (AKA – “the hall of faith”) to get a better run-down of those who assumed the best about God, rather than despairing in the circumstances.
The point is if we’re going to assume, let’s start by assuming the best about our God. I pray we give Him the benefit of the doubt, whether or not we want to. Whether or not we understand. He is good, and He is faithful. He has never dropped the ball, even when it may look otherwise. God’s ways are not our ways, but at the end of the day, we can assume in His goodness and give Him glory.
Amen?
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