We place an astounding measure of stock in credentials.
Someone who has received the ‘right’ certification or the ‘right’ degree from the ‘right’ school, or is affiliated with the ‘right’ organization, is more or less blindly accepted as a subject matter expert. We apply this same logic to objects, deferring to known and established brands. This default to trust saves us an abundance of time and engenders assurance amidst changing circumstances such as travel that the doctor, pilot, or chef we encounter is capable.
However, this ingrained time-saving mechanism also has a darker side. Lack of any of the aforementioned criteria will cause us to doubt and become suspicious. For example, when was the last time you went to a restaurant with less than ten Yelp reviews? We need people and things to be vetted or we become reluctant to experience them. But what is this default mindset causing us to miss out on? What is the perspective we should alternatively approach life with?
“John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.”
Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.””
This verse bears witness to a moment when this default human approach failed. The disciples encounter a man healing people and are incredulous. For the man is an unknown entity, outside their small group, and potentially tarnishing the ‘Jesus’ brand. Accordingly, they rebuke him to discontinue his efforts. For the disciples, and often ourselves, the brand was simply too important to be muddied by this unknown.
Conversely, Jesus rebukes the disciples. From His perspective, accepted or not, the man is actively improving the lives of people. Loving others by placing them over self, Jesus is happy to risk reputation if it means others might be healed and experience freedom. For Jesus judged the man based on his actions vice his affiliation, or lack thereof.
Who have you written off because they failed to hold the proper credentials? What corresponding impact has this skepticism prevented? There is greatness outside conventional channels if we are patient enough to afford the benefit of the doubt. For who better than we understands the blessing the opportunity to prove our mettle and showcase our abilities holds? Perhaps it is time to recalibrate our perceptions and widen our filters so we don’t inadvertently shut down a miracle worker.