One evening, I attended the premiere of a Christian documentary film with some friends. It was a beautiful, thought-provoking piece, one that encouraged deep reflections on the values of faith. But there was one particular scene that made me stop and think.

In contrast to the serene and disciplined world of Christian monasteries, the film depicted a scene of young people enjoying a carefree life in restaurants, dressed in shorts and sporting tattoos. The filmmaker’s message was clear—he wanted to show the fleeting and hollow nature of secular pleasures, the pursuit of enjoyment that often leads nowhere. Yet, that scene prompted a different thought. Could it be that the young woman in bright makeup or the young man driving an expensive car are not as far from God as we might think? Are they not also children of God, just like those living in asceticism?

As the film ended and I made my way home, my mind continued to turn over this idea. I thought about people I knew who followed the latest fashion trends but also carried out acts of kindness every day. I’ve seen individuals leaving high-end restaurants in flashy clothes, yet giving generously to those in need, while others, who may appear to embody a more pious lifestyle, hurriedly walk by a beggar, unwilling to offer a hand. Certainly, wearing attention-grabbing clothes and potentially leading others into temptation is a sin. But I think we must be careful not to rush to judgments about someone in a red dress, assuming that she is far from God. How can we know the spiritual struggles she faces, the inner battles of faith she fights, or how earnestly she seeks God in her heart?

It’s a challenge I personally face. Like many others, I often judge a person by their appearance. I make quick assumptions based on how someone looks, assigning labels without truly understanding them. But when I take the time to get to know someone, I am often amazed by the vast depth of goodness and generosity that God has placed in their heart. I feel a deep sense of shame for my initial judgment.

In the end, clothing is just fabric, and no matter how it may appear, it can never truly hide the light or darkness within the human soul. The most important lesson, as the Bible reminds us, is not to judge. We cannot know the struggles, the hopes, or the prayers of others simply by looking at them. Only God sees what lies within.

We must remember that true spirituality doesn’t reside in outward appearances, but in the heart. So, let us look beyond the surface and seek to understand the person, not just the clothes they wear. After all, we are all children of God, each on our own unique journey toward Him.

Original article: radiovera.ru/krasnoe-plate-tatjana-ljubomirskaja.html