How do you see me?

Abraham Lincoln once said that 'tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.' If you are anything like me, the 'brutality' of that honesty can sometimes sting! I don't always see myself through the eyes of Jesus, although I should. There are times when I see myself through the eyes of others - giving into their harsh judgments about the way I am behaving. In school, that got me into a whole lot of trouble! I would do things contrary to what I knew to be right just because I wanted to be 'accepted' by the 'in crowd'. I did things I wasn't comfortable doing. I followed - they led. There is but one leader worth following - Christ. There is but one estimation of our worth and goodness that really matters - Christ's. None of us 'better' or 'worse' than the next person, but we sometimes think we are. It might just be time to see ourselves through the eyes of Jesus just a bit more - seeing ourselves through the eyes of others just a bit less.

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. (Galatians 5:22-26)

What gets in the way of you seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you? Do the taunting memories of your past keep creeping into your present view of yourself? If so, it is likely that others see those 'memories' being rehashed in our lives, as well. If someone were to tell you that is not the way Jesus sees you, would you believe them? They aren't comparing you - they are wanting you to be free of those past hurts, hang-ups, and halting memories. God's plan is for us to live free - no longer bound by those things that described our 'past life'. Maybe Lincoln was a little off-base because when you describe how Jesus sees me, I am more inclined to walk in that truth!

Gifts are given - fruit is born - attitudes change. This is the pattern God establishes in our lives. As you may very well be aware, our attitude toward ourselves can be a little less than kind at times. The more we listen to what God says about us, the more we will see our attitude about our past change. We don't give it as much 'credence' as we once did. We see it as 'over and done with' - no longer holding us captive. Scripture has a way of opening our minds to the possibilities of a different 'view' of ourselves - but it must be embraced. Each of us is an original, so why do we always want to 'conform' to some pattern set out for us by others? Perhaps we are placing too much emphasis on how others see us and not quite enough on how Christ sees us. Just sayin!