Caleb and I love hearing people’s life stories. I love to know about the heart of a person and a prayer of mine is to see others through God’s eyes. When I get the joy of hearing about someones life, I see points of connection with them, judgement on appearance can diminish and I’m reminded that we are all God’s children, made beautifully and wonderfully by God.
Every week at our church Angelus Temple, The Church of the Dream Center a man or woman from one of their recovery programs shares their testimony. I cry every single time. It touches my heart and spirit in a profound way. I’m amazed by what God can do through each of our lives. They share about ways their lives had spiraled out of control, and how God is in the midst of restoring their life and relationships. They remind me of how much I need God, how my life spirals our of control apart from God’s grace and love and how we are all works in progress.
We are humans, and can make quick judgements about one another. I am guilty of this and continue desiring my heart be changed to see things through God’s perspective. “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7. Who am I to judge someone else? The book of Matthew 5 always puts things into perspective for me. Jesus shares of the new standard he sets for us. I can’t meet these standards and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23. This might seem like bad news, but it’s not- because Jesus came to pay the price for us falling short. “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2. I don’t want to be judged harshly, so I want to stop judging others harshly.
At times I like to think of myself better than someone else (I’m not proud of this, but I’m being honest) because it gives me a false sense of security and pride, but it’s a lie. No one is good except God alone. I was a Bible teacher for years, but fell short of always reflecting God’s glory. That’s the same with any person no matter what their platform. They fall short. I fall short.
Jesus died because of my sins. I can’t be saved apart from His death on the cross: for my disobedience against God. He also died for you, and we can be made new. Politics, science, technology, education etc. are not going to save us- of course there are ways they can help us potentially. But none of these are going to make things completely right in the world, only One can.
My hope and prayer is that we can see others with love. Let us let God be the judge, He didn’t make that our job but His. He’s not done with us or our stories yet. What’s something in your story you could share with us? We love to hear from you. Also, you can DM us a prayer request if you have one, this life can be tough and we don’t have to go through it alone.
