❓Do you know–do we know–how amazing the people are, around us?
Many of us live with truly *wonderful* people. Amazing people. Strong ones. Beautiful ones. Just marvelous ones.
But there’s a barrier that can keep us not only from seeing this, but also from verbally acknowledging it to the people around us.
👉🏼And it is this: how we see ourselves.
If we see ourselves through a small viewfinder, with highly magnified detail on all our flaws …if we struggle vainly to hold ourselves to a high standard and get frustrated every time we are unable to meet that standard …
…we will have a very hard time acknowledging just how amazing the people *around us* are.
How *do* you see yourself? Take a moment to take genuine, honest stock. Not what you’ve been told—especially not what you’ve been told to think of yourself, but how you ACTUALLY see yourself. The honest, raw version. Maybe you see yourself as the “odd one out”, the “weirdo”, the “constantly needy” or the “always-awkward-one” or even the “ugly duckling” of your family/friend group.
❤️🩹This, our honest, raw admission …it’s a way to open the door to understanding. To understanding “why” it is hard to praise others, lift them up or delight in all that God is doing in them and to cheer them on.
Because we aren’t grounded enough in who *we* are: how God sees *us*.
Now, I know it’s very easy–especially if you grew up in the Christian faith–to have this kind of “oh yes, I know” feeling about the concept of seeing ourselves how God sees us …but truly, do you really see yourself that way? Do *I* really see myself that way?
Do we even *really know* how God actually sees us?
👉🏼Here’s something to keep in mind: our understanding of how He sees us, is deeply influenced by how we see Him.
💛 Test it out: if you need to get clear on how well you know God, maybe start by considering how you see and treat others. Then, consider how you see yourself …and the results from these ponderings can start to show you how you see God.
🙌🏼Which leads us to a key question: *how* exactly, do we know God for who He really is? How do we improve our sight?
Because if we can know Him—and I mean REALLY know Him—we will see ourselves the way He sees us and in turn see others the way He sees them. (One informs the other which informs the other. Cause and effect.)
🌿So the foundation is laid here: knowing God.
But how? What’s the practical how-to that our souls need?
Maybe we should be asking ourselves this question …how do we get to know someone on earth? Like really get to know them to the point of becoming like them, thinking like them, living like them, taking action like they do?
Therein we will find answers that can help us come closer to God. 🙂
❓So, endnote …do we call out the beauty in those around us on a daily basis? Do we find His Spirit leaping within us as we see just how amazing and beautiful and deep He has made His people?
Or do we most likely fall into criticism, hidden judgement or fear when we engage with those nearest us? Is it our first thought to say, “how wonderful God made you!” or is it …”That person is always so annoying.”
💛It really does matter how well we know God.
It literally creates the glasses with which we view ourselves and others.
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Personal note …it’s a journey isn’t it? I wish I was better at this! God has made people so beautiful and with so much potential and we can be a continual part of calling it out if we know, see and understand who He really is. God is the BEST at seeing the deep potential in people. He doesn’t get tripped up over quirks, annoyances or the negative choices people make. He looks right on past to the beautiful soul that He made and calls for the fulfillment of that potential with His whole heart.
God LOVES us. Oh, He LOVES US SO DEEPLY. Beyond comprehension.
🙏🏻Father, let our hearts be filled with knowledge of You. Make nothing more attractive to us than loving You, spending time with You, seeking You, following You, living life with You. Draw us deeper, deeper and further into Your heart. Fill us with You, Lord, so that we can truly SEE.
