Give me Your yes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
--Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes--
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
--Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes--
How do you see people?
Well, maybe that's too general of a question. Let's get more specific.
How do you see the people who frustrate you? How do you see the outcasts, the misfits, the annoying people? How do you perceive the confident, the wealthy, the ones who appear to have it all together? How do you react to the ones who are below you? How about the ones who are above you?
Do you have examples in mind?
I try to see everyone in two ways:
1) As a broken soul, longing to fill core needs and in desperate need of Jesus, whether they realize it or not.
I try not to hold the seemingly confident and secure in too high esteem, because I know, deep down, they are searching for the same thing I am: significance, worth and acceptance. I try not to respond to a person's fit of rage with disdain. Instead I see a broken soul, longing for security and hope and intimacy.
2) As a beautiful creation with some amazing gift that benefits the Kingdom.
We all have one. We all have a niche where we can shine. That thing we were created to do - our wheelhouse. God didn't create anyone for no purpose at all. None of us is just ordinary, run of the mill or normal. We all have something unique to make the body complete. It may take longer to find it in some than others, but I try to keep looking. It's there.
The irony in seeing people through this lens is you may have to see yourself this way first. Otherwise, the seemingly confident will come across as demeaning and arrogant, better than you and always trying to make you feel insignificant. The fit of rage will seem personal and feel like a power play, threatening your worth. No one else will be able to show their gifts because you will always try to prove you can do it too - and do it better.
Think about the people who frustrate you, annoy you or rub you the wrong way; the ones who get you worked up. Don't ignore your response to them but acknowledge the dissonance. Why does that happen? What strings do they tug on?
First, come to grips with your secure identity in Jesus and see yourself in a new light.
Second, change your lens, so you can see others in this light as well.
Looking for more resources to lead you in this transformation? Check out Christ McAlister's message at www.chrismcalister.com.
Well, maybe that's too general of a question. Let's get more specific.
How do you see the people who frustrate you? How do you see the outcasts, the misfits, the annoying people? How do you perceive the confident, the wealthy, the ones who appear to have it all together? How do you react to the ones who are below you? How about the ones who are above you?
Do you have examples in mind?
I try to see everyone in two ways:
1) As a broken soul, longing to fill core needs and in desperate need of Jesus, whether they realize it or not.
I try not to hold the seemingly confident and secure in too high esteem, because I know, deep down, they are searching for the same thing I am: significance, worth and acceptance. I try not to respond to a person's fit of rage with disdain. Instead I see a broken soul, longing for security and hope and intimacy.
2) As a beautiful creation with some amazing gift that benefits the Kingdom.
We all have one. We all have a niche where we can shine. That thing we were created to do - our wheelhouse. God didn't create anyone for no purpose at all. None of us is just ordinary, run of the mill or normal. We all have something unique to make the body complete. It may take longer to find it in some than others, but I try to keep looking. It's there.
The irony in seeing people through this lens is you may have to see yourself this way first. Otherwise, the seemingly confident will come across as demeaning and arrogant, better than you and always trying to make you feel insignificant. The fit of rage will seem personal and feel like a power play, threatening your worth. No one else will be able to show their gifts because you will always try to prove you can do it too - and do it better.
Think about the people who frustrate you, annoy you or rub you the wrong way; the ones who get you worked up. Don't ignore your response to them but acknowledge the dissonance. Why does that happen? What strings do they tug on?
First, come to grips with your secure identity in Jesus and see yourself in a new light.
Second, change your lens, so you can see others in this light as well.
Looking for more resources to lead you in this transformation? Check out Christ McAlister's message at www.chrismcalister.com.
