As a former elementary art teacher, I was often surprised at what students in my class would cross out or scribble over because they decided they didn’t like what they drew or they thought it wasn’t good enough. I found this lovely, tiny little tree drawn on a small square of paper after one of my classes left before Thanksgiving break one year, and I thought it was really beautiful! When my students would start to slump in defeat I would often tell them, “I wish you could see what I see”.
What does God see?
How regularly do we cross out or scribble over our own name or our efforts because we think we are too much of this or not enough of that? How frequently do we compare ourselves to others and allow that to determine our worth? How often do we stop short and sink in disappointment at the task we’re attempting because we think our efforts are not good enough? I think if God could whisper anything to us in those moments it might be, “I wish you could see what I see.” The circumstances at hand may be hard, but God sees not only the path we’re on, but He also knows where it leads. And He looks at each one of us as individuals, without comparing us to others.
What would He say about what He sees?
When we see failure, I’m convinced He sees passionate hearts in pursuit of His purposes. Psalm 33:15 says, “He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.” He knows our hearts often wander for a variety of reasons, but He is always calling us back to Him. He longs for His gentle whisper to be the words we hear washing over us, rather than the negative self-talk we may fall into when we’re frustrated.
What can you do?
It’s really a day to day thing or maybe moment by moment thing. We need to recalibrate our spiritual compass regularly to make sure our confidence is on course and aligned with His truths about us as His children. We can do this in any number of ways, and one of the most powerful ways is to write it down. When we’re in uncharted territory, when He’s calling us into a new job, different location, or fresh relationship it’s easy to fall into the comfortable patterns that sailed our ships before. But maybe the one thing we can do is pause and ask ourselves, “What might God see when He looks at me at this moment?” Then write that truth down with a pen and carry it with us or put it somewhere that we see it each day. Rather than resorting to old habits of unproductive thoughts and self-doubt, we can rest in the assurance that we are precious to God, and He has a plan for our lives. We are unique and He has gifted us for very specific things.
Where can you start?
Here are a few verses if you’re searching for a place to start:
- Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Psalm 46:5: “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
- Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:11: “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always.”
- Jeremiah 17:7: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”
