Judging turkey vultures

I don't trust them.

I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of turkey vultures. I see them as opportunists. Disgusting. Revolting. A little bit scary.

They feast on death. And when I see them circling overhead I silently hope they're not going to swoop in on me — an unreasonable concern, to be sure.

Yet they play a valuable role in our ecosystem. The Wildlife Rescue League calls them nature's clean-up crew. By feeding on carrion (read: dead animals), they help minimize the spread of disease.

All of this leads me to ponder my penchant for judging them unfairly and inaccurately. And that reminds me of Matthew 7:1-3:

Judge (or condemn) not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment (condemnation) you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Some are called to get their hands dirty, to deal with the less lovely. Often they fly under they radar. Sometimes they're sometimes condemned for their work or life choices.

• Mother Theresa fed and housed outcasts. Undaunted by external criticism, she remained steadfast.

• Jesus walked among us doing good and working counter to the religious and civil authorities. His internal compass guided him to a condemned death — but he rose Savior and King.

• The apostles bucked public opinion and chose agape instead of fear. And that love turned the world upside down.

For centuries, Christ followers have been derided, judged harshly, hated, and avoided. Like the turkey vulture. And yet, like the turkey vulture, we are called to be in the world but not of it. To help clean up the diseased and spiritually dead.

It can be a thankless job. But it's a job God honors.

Photo by ALAN SCHMIERER. CC0.