Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment – John 7:24
One of the most memorable scenes in the movie Heat occurs at a diner when Vincent, a police lieutenant, comes face-to-face with his target, Neil. It is then that Vincent refutes his image of having a “regular type life” by saying, “No, my life’s a disaster zone.” He shares aspects of his dysfunctional home, an emotionally fragile stepdaughter, and his marriage: “We’re passing each other on the down slope of a marriage.”
Vincent’s honest assessment is a good example that what’s seen doesn’t always reflect what’s happening behind the scenes, such as what that person may be experiencing. It’s oftentimes camouflaged by a projection of someone who has it altogether, not someone who may be struggling to keep from falling apart. It’s a reminder of the saying to not judge a book by its cover, as well as the warning in John 7:24.
Layers, in people and situations—good and even bad—serve a purpose for God to demonstrate Himself. Frequently, it will, as it has been for me, take place in the most mundane circumstances.