Sunday, January 30, 2011

Seeing Others Through God's Eyes by Ann Elaine Broughton

“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).

Recently I watch the movie again called Bruce Almighty. At the end Bruce is in heaven and God asks him to pray. He prays that his girl friend will meet someone who will see her as he does now through God’s eyes. That made an impact on me because most of the time I believe we don’t see others through God’s eyes, but because we have Christ in us that is exactly what we are suppose to do. Sometimes it is difficult when the person is annoying, mean, nasty, and mouthy. But, the Lord loves that person, and if you are looking at that person through the Lord’s eyes you should have compassion and not judge.
That is very difficult, but it is expected of us.
Jesus chose to be around people who weren’t exactly the cream of the crop. He even asked a hated tax collector to be an apostle. You see He loved everyone, even the woman caught in adultery. He sat with a Samaritan woman at the well and lovingly told her that he was the living water. He could have dismissed her and ignored her, since the Samaritans were hated by the Jews. Jesus chose to sit and talk to her about the fact that you should worship God in spirit and in truth. Seeing others through the Lord’s eyes means that you must love them and believe that the Lord’s love can transform them. God wants everyone to come to repentance and go to heaven. We are His eyes on this earth and must view them as He does.
This week think about someone who you have problems with and see them through the Lord’s eyes. Pray for them and also ask for guidance to be a witness to them in some way. Genuinely love them and watch what God can do through you.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes it is difficult to be around people who are abrasive. Help me to look at them through your eyes. I know that you want everyone to go to heaven, so help me to show compassion and love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

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