What I Learned During Jury Duty
I recently had the opportunity to serve on jury duty in my county. Some may see it as an exciting endeavor, while others show up because they’ve been summoned by the court system and the alternative is contempt of court and a headache. Never chosen to win raffles or the luck of the draw, naturally I was chosen to serve on jury duty.
It is a commitment. If they say show up, you have to show up no matter how busy you may be at work. You are needed for a task.
Walking in on my first day, I had no idea what to expect. I’m not wild about true crime documentaries or police shows. I know there are a lot of you who love them and even enjoy getting the scoop on things happening around you. I’m over here just trying to stay in my own lane and tackle my list of responsibilities.
As I sat in the courtroom, I couldn’t help but think that every life has a story. A past. Likely full of seasons that have been challenging and impactful. Sometimes those stories are full of choices made. At times those choices have good outcomes, while others do not.
There are truly two sides to every argument. Two sides to every story. He said vs. she said. In the courtroom, there’s a plaintiff and a defendant. Stuck in the middle is a team of jurors trying to come to a fair understanding based on the evidence presented in the case. The defendant is always considered innocent until proven otherwise.
It’s easy to jump to conclusions. To pass judgments based on appearance or someone else’s opinion or thoughts. Quickly creating logical stories in our heads without having all of the facts. Not at all giving someone a reasonable chance.
During the weeks I served on jury duty, I learned the importance of listening. Staying attuned to all of the details, making sure I don’t miss anything important. Listening before drawing conclusions.
I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt. That may not be ideal for most of you, and I get it. I believe that we are all human and we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect humans, no matter how hard we may try. I do believe that as adults, we have the ability to make our own decisions. With that power comes responsibility. We must realize that if our actions have consequences, we must come to peace with that. Growth doesn’t occur without learning.
It can be tough sitting in a courtroom. Just knowing the pain, hurt, and bad choices that some have been made and lived through. Lives are changed in and because of courtrooms. Families will never be the same because of a verdict given in a courtroom. A lot happens in a courtroom, but some can be good. Justice can be served and families may grow through the finalization of an adoption. Opposite ends of a spectrum, all happening in a similar setting.
The biggest takeaway I could gather is the importance in extending love to others and not hate. We never know what weight others are carrying. As followers of Jesus, we are called to extend love and grace. We can stand firm in the difference between right and wrong, but we can do so with love. You and I can make a positive difference in someone else’s life. We may even be able to make a difference in a courtroom.
Romans 2:1-11, CSB
Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you think—anyone of you who judges those who do such things yet do the same—that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness. There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For there is no favoritism with God.
