Author | Speaker | Encourager

Sherri'sBlog

Does Our Lens Keep Us From Loving People Well?

adult-1869280_640How much of our thinking is built on a lie?

On a lens that is colored through our experiences and belief systems?

The lens we look through flavors everything.

Our lens is our bias.

There is a person on the periphery of my life that I struggle with. I’ll call him Ben. I care for him in the sense that I love and value people and I believe everyone has worth, but I just don’t like how he treats people or how he puffs himself up. I’ve lived the last handful of years believing that I’ve judged this guy pretty accurately and fairly. He’s valuable, but not very likable.

Then one day I was talking to God about my own journey and this is what He said to me:

You must love well. The enemy can still engage you. He’s going for areas you’ve not completely handed over to Me. You’ve judged your lack. Is that fair? Do you judge others for what they don’t have? That’s where My people error. They judge the deficits instead of loving people into the light. Into My arms. Into wholeness and freedom. Where you lack, another has the resource.

But love is the key that brings resources to lack. People withhold resources (time, energy, instruction, investment) because they judge the lack. But the lack needs the resources I’ve given (James 1:17).

Take Ben. Others’ judgments reinforce his weaknesses because that’s all he has. These weaknesses become his fortress and defense. So all people see are the barricades he has around his heart: hardness, pride, judgment, selfishness. They miss that those barricades hide and “protect” the frightened little boy who desperately needs approval. And the more people push away from him, the stronger his defenses become.

It is presumed that he chooses to be pompous and arrogant. But who wants that? Who would choose that mindfully? Pride enticed him saying, “You’re good at (sport). Elevate yourself. Promote yourself.”

It invited him to stop feeling. To feel the self-glory of pride instead of the pain of never receiving his father’s approval. Who wouldn’t make that trade? But it sacrifices relationship and people. It doesn’t allow love in.

And my people judge outwardly, never asking Me what is going on in another’s heart and soul. Not understanding that I’ve sent them as My ambassadors of love and approval. Shackles drop off in the presence of love. In My embrace hearts are healed. I embrace through your arms. I approve through your mouth.

I want to send ambassadors of My goodwill. But My people have believed lies and instead made themselves judges.

Repent and turn from this wickedness that has enticed and lied to you. Drink deeply and be refreshed in My rivers of life and love. Be renewed so you can be a conduit of renewal for others. Be ambassadors of My goodwill and peace.

carefree-2280933_640It changed how I looked at this man and reminded me that God knows people. He understands what formed and shaped us and it’s why He so badly wants us to love them with His love.

Prayer

Father, teach me to love others with Your love, to see them and myself through Your eyes. Gift me with compassion and a joy to spread Your love to the hurting ones around me. I repent for judging and not loving. Give me opportunities to be Your ambassador to a hurting world. Rebuild me into the image of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Here is a tutorial from Mark Virkler on how to hear God’s voice in your life:


Pictures via Pixabay

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)