Thursday, October 27, 2005

Seeing What Others Miss

The purposes in the human mind are like deep water, but the intelligent[man] will
draw them out. - Proverbs 20:5 NRS

Being made in God's likeness gives us amazing potential. But sometimes ittakes
"a man of understanding" to recognize it and "draw it out." Toomany of us are
gifted at seeing the obvious. We're quick to label peopleas arrogant, quick-tempered,
or weak. But a person with spiritual insightsees beyond that to the hopes and fears
behind their behavior.

The people who knew Simon knew his tendency to shoot from the hip and be impulsive.
But Jesus saw something else. That's why He renamed him Peter,meaning a rock or pillar suitable for a foundation. Can you imagine thelook on the disciples' faces when Jesus said,
"You are Peter...upon this rock I will build My church, and...hell will not conquer it" (Mt 16:18NLT)? But Peter did become a pillar, a respected leader and founder ofthe church.
And all because of Jesus' ability and willingness to lookbeyond his surface-level qualities
to what was inside.

Today we need more: Parents who'll pray for their children, look beyond their flaws and
"draw out" their uniqueness; spouses who'll search forthe hidden treasure in their mate; business leaders who'll treat workers with respect and match their talents with their responsibilities; Christians who'll forgive the immature stumbling of young believers and
work to develop them; witnesses who see the lost through the eyes ofJesus and recognize
what His transforming power can do. So, ask God today for eyes to see what others miss.

Rhema Broadcasting Group
Taken from Julie Gaskins, a.k.a. "J"
http://profiles.yahoo.com/tremendousjewel
tremendousjewel@yahoo.com

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