Patti Richter, On Faith: Reasons Not to Trust Those First Impressions

Rockwall, TX (March 25, 2024) – Elizabeth Bennet and the aristocratic Mr. Darcy quietly observed each other at a local ball. Lizzy disliked his high-brow bearing, while he, though attracted to Lizzy, rejected any thought of a connection to her less cultivated family. Reading Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice could cure us of the tendency to judge a person by surface appearances. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were a perfect match.

In today’s online meet-up culture, a first date may fall flat over a nice (and possibly expensive) dinner. Young people, especially, may search for gold by moving from one stream to the next without patiently sifting for nuggets of value before moving on. But those who rely on first impressions may never know what they missed.

Besides a potential friend or mate, we’re prone to judge a place before getting acquainted with it. Having lived in seven states, I’ve been asked many times about which one I liked best. I always say that each revealed its own charms over time. Initial disappointments upon settling into a new location would fade to the background as we noticed better aspects. The flat and treeless Midwest yielded glistening wheat fields and unobstructed sunset views. Infrequent rains in desert regions meant no uncomfortable humidity.

Withholding judgment is also helpful in dealing with circumstances: marital status, an unplanned pregnancy, school, work, income, illness, injury…Some seasons of life can be disconcerting in the beginning. We’ll want to turn back or take another road that appears safer or easier. As in relationships, it takes time, patience, and effort to mine the joys and contentment we hope to find.

But mostly it takes faith in God, trusting in his foreknowledge as we face undesirable or seemingly impossible situations. Proverbs 25:2* says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things.” We need not understand his ways in order to follow him.

By faith, we enjoy God’s help and provision along whatever path we walk. We are surprised along the way by his unexpected (and undeserved) gifts. Jesus said that even evil parents know how to give good gifts to their children, so, “how much more will our Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11). Perhaps a seemingly insurmountable barrier to our plans will suddenly give way, or maybe we’ll find ourselves holding the child we hoped for, or the keys to our dream home.

Those who struggle with faith in God may need to get over any bad first impressions—that God is too high to reach or too big to grasp, and his followers sometimes badly behaved. They’ll need to dig deeper.

Jesus suffered the rejection of those who held different expectations of their coming Messiah, and his crucifixion seemingly confirmed their beliefs. Yet the prophet Isaiah had provided strong images of Christ for those who searched for understanding:

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, … He was despised and rejected by men, … Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities. –Isaiah 53:2 – 5

Through Christ, God’s glorious plan on behalf of sinners is no longer concealed. Ephesians 1:7, 8 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.”

This perfect plan is our greatest hope, with untold blessings waiting to be revealed.

*English Standard Version

By Patti Richter. Patti writes and edits Christian faith articles and has co-authored Signs of His Presence: Experiencing God’s Comfort in Times of Suffering (March 2019). Read more of her essays at blueribbonnews.com/category/faith.