One of the things I have realised as a parent is that you look for the best in your children. Even when aspects of their character need some work, we choose to focus on enhancing their strengths and seeing their greatness while praying and speaking into any weaknesses.
Likewise, God sees greatness in you and knows full well what you are capable of. When He looks at you, He sees the best and what others often don’t see or recognise.
Samuel 16: 7 tells of the contrast between how people saw David and how God saw him. It says, “…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
David was overlooked by his own family and viewed as too insignificant to even be included in a celebration with Samuel the prophet. Yet God noticed David; He saw His heart and believed in what He could be.
The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears was known as a woman of ill repute or a prostitute and had been written off as a no-good hopeless sinner, unworthy of any consideration or compassion. However, Jesus was different. He saw the best in her. He saw who she was created to be and not just what she had become. Overwhelmed by the greatness of God’s forgiveness towards her, she began to cry, and the tears fell on the feet of Jesus. Untying her hair, she used it to dry his feet, and then with the little she had of value, she anointed Jesus’ feet with her precious bottle of perfume. (Luke 7:36-50)
Those watching commented, “This man is no prophet! If he were a prophet, he would know about this sinful woman! He would turn her away”.
Sadly far too often, we can respond the same way. How quick are we to pass judgment, presume, and fail to look and see the best in people? We fail at the very thing for which we too have to be grateful for. That God sees the best in us. That He believes in us, and when He looks, He sees all the things that are possible for our lives.
Jesus forgave the woman because He saw the best in her when everyone else could only see the worst. Because of Jesus’ compassion and reassurance, this woman chose to acknowledge that her lifestyle was not God’s best for her and she realised how valuable she was. Jesus didn’t condemn or give her a lecture on the error of her ways; He loved and welcomed her into his presence, and it changed her life forever.
Jesus is still the same. He still believes and looks for the best in each one of us. He still believes in you regardless of what your life may look like to others, or even who and what you see when you look in the mirror. He loves you and still welcomes all who come to Him into His presence.
Today take a look in the mirror and ask Jesus to show you what He sees when he looks at you. Know that you are of value and greatly loved. That He believes the best of you. Then as you meet others today, imitate Jesus and look for the greatness and best in them too.
“Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.“ (Ephesians 3:18-19)
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you see the best in me. Would you please help me see myself as you do and start to live out of that new understanding of who I am in you? Then please help me to show the same grace and love to all I meet today. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Comments