I don’t know about you, but the differences and difficulties between us have been highlighted greatly since the death of George Floyd and the world has seemed a sad place. We read in Acts 17:26, “He created all the people of the world from one human, Adam.” Every man and woman created equally in God’s eyes. The truth is we are all created equal; whilst we are just not born with equal share of money, fame, love, etc… No one is created better than I am, but I am not created better than you are and so on…. God gives us a new clarity when we come to Him. We begin to see life a whole lot better. We see ourselves. We see our problems. We see our past, our present, our future. Everything gets a little clearer the closer we get to God. In Matthew 6:22 (Message) says “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.” Paul calls it seeing with the eyes of your heart. Seeing from God’s perspective. In fact, Paul prays this prayer for us in Ephesians “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and His incomparable great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18 In a world where we seem quick to make judgements, how does God see us? How does God view you? God sees us as acceptable. Titus 3:7 says “Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and He gave us the hope of eternal life.” God also sees us as valuable. Luke 12:24 “Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds.” God sees us not just as acceptable and valuable but lovable. With a deep, deep love. The most famous verse in the Bible talks about this.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God sees us as forgivable.
That word – “forgive” – it’s easy, if we are in church and hear it all the time.” It’s very easy to pass right by it. We do not realize how forgiven we really are. Ephesians 1:4 says, “Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us. He decided then to make us holy in His eyes, without a single fault. We who stand before Him covered by His love.” And then finally, God sees us as capable. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 says “The capacity that we have comes from God. It is He who made us capable of serving the new covenant.”
Because of Jesus, we are all acceptable, and we are valuable, and we are lovable, and we are forgivable, and we are capable. Jesus, help us to see ourselves and others through Your eyes of love. Amen.”
Broken crayons can still colour! Despite our differences and difficulties, if we could see each other through God’s eyes, the world might be a better place! Our prayer for each one of you from Living Well is that you would know how acceptable, valuable, lovable, forgivable, capable and cherished you are in God’s eyes. May He bless you abundantly!
Hilary Assistant Chaplain at The Living Well