What’s Your Line?

What’s Your Line?

No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:11

Two pictures—which one tells the real story? Imagine each of us on the old television show What’s My Line? trying to guess who the contestants really are. My Bible study group is ready for this game show.

A group of women were sitting in a circle around me, and I began to analyze them. Ellie is a bright person with bold, big eyes, blonde hair, and an extremely curvaceous figure; perhaps she is an assertive and loud person.

Lee is slim, and everything about her seems more than perfect—graceful smile and speech, an outfit of immaculate style and taste on a perfect figure. She has an amazing necklace collection, which she displays regularly. Maybe she is all about herself and being the best.

Holly is quiet and careful about her words and dress. My guess is that she may be judgmental.

Jamie forcefully states her opinions. Perhaps she needs more humility.

After a few months of getting to know these women, I took another look at each of them. Ellie has Scripture in her DNA. I listen in rapt attention as she boldly shares her faith.

Lee, the fashion plate, is the kindest, gentlest person on earth and has some self-esteem issues. I can cry on her shoulder if I need to.

Holly is the most accepting person I know.

Jamie, who has been widowed twice, just tries to find her voice again after tragedy by sharing her thoughts a lot.

It was then I finally realized that my Bible study group is a “gotcha” trick of God. He put a group together that no one could know just from looking at its outside cover.

Before we jump to conclusions about others, we need to take time to discover what’s on the inside.

—Diane E. Kay

Father, help me to see your genius in the wonder and variety of people you bring into my life. Please make me humble and able to see others as better than I am. Amen.