a ministry of Savannah Christian Church
785 King George Blvd., Ste. E
Savannah, Ga 31419
912-920-5126
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Sep 17
Have you ever had a person, or people, in your life that looked at you and saw what you could become instead of merely what you were? I would hope that all of us have had some of those people in our lives from time to time. There is something inspiring and encouraging about having people look past the blemishes and flaws that we believe define us and see the potential of what we can become. These are the people that help ordinary people achieve extraordinary things. Almost everyone of note throughout history has had such a person in their lives at some point. Perhaps it was a parent, a teacher, a colleague, or a friend. The common denominator is that someone saw what another could become instead of what they were. Have you experienced someone like this in your own life? I still stand in amazement of certain people in my life, many of whom are on staff at this church, who can look past the dirt and muck of who I am and see what I could become. Exactly how does a person accomplish this?
by Terry Norris, LifeCHANGE counselor
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
Have you ever had a person, or people, in your life that looked at you and saw what you could become instead of merely what you were? I would hope that all of us have had some of those people in our lives from time to time. There is something inspiring and encouraging about having people look past the blemishes and flaws that we believe define us and see the potential of what we can become. These are the people that help ordinary people achieve extraordinary things. Almost everyone of note throughout history has had such a person in their lives at some point. Perhaps it was a parent, a teacher, a colleague, or a friend. The common denominator is that someone saw what another could become instead of what they were. Have you experienced someone like this in your own life? I still stand in amazement of certain people in my life, many of whom are on staff at this church, who can look past the dirt and muck of who I am and see what I could become. Exactly how does a person accomplish this?
In his book Who Put Jesus on the Cross A.W. Tozer wrote "When our Lord looked at us, He saw not only what we were -- He was faithful in seeing what we could become! He took away the curse of being and gave us the glorious blessing of becoming.” (pg.166)
Contemplate the phrase “the glorious blessing of becoming” for a moment. Isn’t this the foundation of hope? Isn’t the idea that what I am now, what life is now, what my relationships are now, is not all that will ever be the wellspring of hope in our souls? It is a living hope that we are born again into through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3). It seems that God puts a premium on hope. The hope of “becoming” can inspire and motivate and animate and facilitate so much more in our lives than our wills or desires can alone. Doesn’t it make sense then that when others look at me and see what I could become rather than what I am that they are looking at me through the eyes of Christ and are a fount of the glorious blessing of my own becoming? How fortunate we are to have these types of people in our lives! I doubt that I would have to spend much effort convincing you that it is one of the greatest blessings known be seen by others through the eyes of Christ. It is truly its own reward. I would like to introduce some discomfort for a moment if I may. Who is in your life right now that needs to experience the “glorious blessing of becoming” by being seen by you through the eyes of Christ?
We all have people around us who need to be viewed by us the way Christ views them. We need to exercise the faithfulness of seeing what they could become. This is the catalyst for the transformation Paul wrote of in 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 12:2. This is the root of bringing Godliness into the lives of others. Imagine how much we could impact the transformation taking place in others if we viewed them through “the glorious blessing of becoming” instead of “as is”. Transformation is the goal in walking with Christ. Understand it is not the state of being transformed but rather the process of becoming transformed that God delights in seeing. Too often we see what we would like to be or what others should be. Perhaps we should focus our energy and encouragement on the process of becoming. Imagine if we all began to see each other as what we could become instead of what we are. Imagine the depth of fellowship that would occur, the edification that would be exchanged, and the progress we would experience in our process of transformation. Perhaps we could all challenge ourselves over the next thirty days to make a conscious effort to see just one person in our lives through the eyes of Christ and help them experience the glorious blessing of becoming through their interactions with us.