Judgementalism in Dexter's Lab

I have heard examples lately of Christians who hear ONE thing about someone, Christian or not, and they prejudge them, avoiding them or acting a certain way from that point on.

Jesus did not die for you so that you could judge and avoid other people, churches, pastors, political opponents, etc. If you claim to be so serious about the cross, then listen to what I'm saying and stop being so petty. I have a hard time understanding how people who have grown up around the cross for 20 years still have no patience with sinners, or even their brothers and sisters in Christ. If you can't tolerate sinners, that's a sin in itself; if you can't tolerate certain Christians, what is wrong with you?

This is going to be an awkward transition because the analogy that popped into my head was much more lighthearted and comical. I think it still fits. There was an episode of Dexter's Lab once, a long time ago. Deedee, the little sister, was annoying the crap out of Dexter, because she just wanted to show him something. Dexter, in the meantime, refused, because he didn't care and was very annoyed. He refused, based on his judgement of her, and he closed his mind to her.

Deedee was bugging Dexter the ENTIRE episode to just stop and pay attention to her for one minute so that she could show him something. Dexter avoided Deedee the whole time up until the very end. After a lot of nagging, Dexter finally blew up and said "All right Deedee, what is it you want to show me?" or something like that. She showed him her trick (which I think involved a jump rope and some other stuff). Dexter was actually impressed! He said "SAY, THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD! Well, I'll be seein' ya!" Then he waves at her with a smile and they both smile and part ways, and the episode ends. 

I may not be the best at making analogies here, but maybe there's something here that we could take away. I suffer from a judgemental heart too, so God was speaking to me as much as you when He reminded me of this. Dexter, just like you and I, shut out the person/people in his life that annoyed/vexed/drove him crazy. He shut them out, secluded in his own little bubble, his own little world. But Deedee persisted, and finally he listened! How long is it going to take before we shut up and stop listening only to ourselves? How long is it going to take before we stop, question ourselves, and listen to outsiders to the faith? For the sake of changing our doctrine to be more universalist? Absolutely not! But for the sake of showing that you actually care. These very people that drive you up the wall could be the very people that God wants you to warm to, and give you practice at humility instead of superiority. I'm talking about political enemies. I'm talking about the annoying girl in your class. I'm talking about the pastor you think has sold his soul to the devil just because he tries to make church fun by having a band and a few lights. God forbid we actually try to keep people awake on Sunday...

I think it's fitting that Deedee kept bugging Dexter. Frequently, outsiders are more patient with us than we ever are with them! And I think it's fitting that Dexter was actually pleased afterwards, even joyful. The joy that comes from actually living out a compassionate lifestyle [characterized by consistent listening]... is frankly, something that I think very few of us live.

Afterthoughts: on a separate note

P.S.: "compassion", when broken down into root words, means "to suffer with". Are you willing to listen to others who need help, even when it is not convenient?