I was pretty incensed when I heard about A&F CEO Mike Jeffries' remarks regarding large people. I found him to be arrogant and critical. He set himself up as superior to those of us who don't find ourselves on the "cool list".
The Holy Spirit lovingly reminded me not to be arrogant and critical. In my remarks, I set myself up as superior to him. I didn't judge people by such insanely shallow standards as size and "coolness factor". I didn't pump thousands of dollars into my face to sit on my own perch of superiority. I didn't make remarks that made others feel useless and cast aside.
I also didn't view Mike Jeffries through the eyes of my crucified Saviour. I didn't take into account that the unspoken but obvious implication of my criticism of him was that I was a superior human. I was sure I'd do better than him, had I been in the same circumstances.
I've been thinking of writing this entry for a while. It was confirmed by a few events. I'll just mention one. I saw a fellow in the airport who somehow communicated to my heart that he's an eternal soul. He was wearing an Abercrombie shirt. Ok, he didn't communicate anything; it was the Holy Spirit's conviction.
I rescind my previous call to boycott. I won't be shopping there, even for the young and cool on my Christmas and birthday shopping lists. That's my personal choice. If you find something you like there, it honestly makes no difference to me.
I look at Mike Jeffries and see something of myself; a fallen human who far too quickly becomes emotionally invested in "self worth". We're quick to put labels on ourselves and everyone else. God is calling all of us to walk away from that insanity. He invites us to rest in the fact that He loves each of us with compassion and grace so massive that He offered up Jesus Christ as the one sacrifice for all sin. Since God loved us in that way, should we not love others also? That includes Mike Jeffries.
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