I do not think we can picture people as God pictures them because we look only outwardly and He sees the heart. We also look at the person’s present condition, and He looks at what He made them to be—a work-in-progress, a person under construction to be something so much more. He has this beautiful plan but we live with eyes that do not focus on His big plan. Our eyes often focus on ourselves.
When God looked at David, He looked into the heart. He did not see a young shepherd, the smallest in the family. He did not look at David’s current situation, his outward appearance, etc. He knew David’s potential. He knew what was on David’s heart. He chose him to be the next king as a result.
How differently our world would be if we would stop treating people as we initially see them. How different things would be if we spoke encouraging words to people, speaking life into them. Perhaps you know someone who needs to hear some kind words, someone who needs some encouragement. Today is a great day to look at the person as God sees them, instead of how they look to us—and to speak to them as such. Tell them they were made for so much more. Encourage. Uplift. Motivate.
“But GOD told Samuel, ‘Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. GOD judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; GOD looks into the heart.’”
-1 Samuel 16:7 [MSG]
Tania Gutekunst 