Stepping Stones: Jesus: Equal Opportunity Savior

Transformational Thought

Boring. What a terrible word. Who wants to be called boring? Most 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, re-paint a room.

Having said this, our natural tendency as human beings is to be attracted to sameness and routine and to 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 of clothes all the time, drive the same route to work … we don’t throw in or like many curveballs in any area of life.

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

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

You see, because of our fallen state, several character traits lead to these ungodly reactions. To compensate for our inadequacies and insecurities, we falsely elevate ourselves by putting others down. We often fear what we don’t understand. So instead of trying to understand it, we avoid it. Because we are psychologically lazy, our willingness to more fully understand others, or to take time to get to know them, is limited.

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

Today, examine what you first see when you engage with another person. Do you see their need for a relationship with God? What makes you tentative about loving them fully? Ask Jesus to help you 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 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.

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 those prejudices and the walls they create. Help me to stop looking at the outside and to truly look deeper into their lives. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who searches all hearts, 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