Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Stepping Stones: Jesus: Equal Opportunity Savior

Transformational Tip

Who wants to be boring? A lot of our activities are pursued so we can avoid either being a bored person or a boring person. Spice things up, inject some excitement, plan a trip, go back to school, change our hairstyle, try a new restaurant.

Having said this, our natural tendency as human beings is to be attracted to sameness and routine and resist all that is different. We like to go the same places for vacation, eat or drink the “usual” when we go to a restaurant, wear a certain style clothes all the time…we don’t throw in or like many curveballs in any area of our life.

We tend to marry and congregate with people who are like us…the same color, culture, political party, religious beliefs, social level, or income bracket. We tend to mistrust and even resist anyone who is different.

People often judge others by what we see on the outside. We lump everyone from a particular racial or cultural group in one basket. We shun one another and, at times, even war against each other based solely on racial identity; how sad.

Aren't you glad Jesus doesn't see us that way? He loves us regardless of our race or culture or career or income. He searches every heart. He is interested in what's inside. He visited and hung out with all kinds…looking deeper than the surface.

Today, ask Jesus to help us search other people's hearts and see them through God’s eyes. As God's creation…designed in his image. Jesus gave His life for all people of all races and cultures. He sees everyone through eyes of love and compassion. He looks beyond faults to needs. It is time for us to let go of our prejudices and see others as Jesus does.

Click here to share your perspective about social equality.

Prayer
Dear Father God, Help me to see others through the eyes of Jesus. Reveal to me any prejudices I may have hidden in my heart. Forgive me, and help me to let go of them and the walls they create. Help me to stop looking at the outside and to truly search every heart. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who searches heart, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
1 Chronicles 28:9