Seeing With a New Vision

Do we take the time to look beyond the outer and look at the inner. Or do we simply go by first impressions or first glances. How fair is that to a person, situation or idea? Let me ask you a few questions...


What is your first thought when you see:

someone panhandling?

A teenager pregnant?

A dirty grungy person sitting in the back pew of church?



Or even worse,

A Mexican,

A black person,

A white person?

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What do you think when someone tells you about a new way of doing things?

What if its contrary or even complete opposite of what you are used to?

And if their idea is somewhat far fetched do we blow them out if the water?

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What if God told you to move across the country or to another country?

Would you be like Jonah and run and hide?

Or be like Isaiah and say "Here am I Lord, send me?"

Are you afraid of a new challenge?

Afraid to step out in faith that where his hand guides, his hand provides?

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Here is the truth:


Not every panhandler is going to buy booze with that money? Even if he did, what business is it of ours if the giving was from the heart?

Arms of love need to be extended to that mother and unborn child, not finger wagging of ridicule and judgment. How will she know about the true love of God? She is confused enough. She is broken-hearted enough. How can we preach love if we cannot show love?

Since when does a persons outward appearance and/or smell dictate his passion to get to know the Living God? Did Jesus not call simple, stinky fishermen to follow him?

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How can we judge a person by the color of their skin?

Not every Mexican is an illegal drunken wife-beater.

Not every black man is going to rob someone blind.

Not every white guy is going to be judgmental or trick one out of their inheritance.

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Did we ever stop to think that there are more than one way of doing things? Have you considered that a change in paradigm is taking place? No one is a carbon copy of you. If every one was like you, how boring would things be? What works for one person may not work for another. What saves one person may not save the next.


God works in new and exciting ways. His ways may never change, but the means by which he goes about doing them are ever changing. Who are we to say that God would not work in that fashion? When it is scriptural of course. I'm not talking about cult rituals or the like. But genuine works of God that line up with his word.

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If you put your life in Gods hands, where do we have the right to say in were we are to live? If God calls you to go to San Antonio...go. If he calls you to Walla Walla, WA...go. Or to Bangor, ME...go. Or to South America, Africa, Mexico, or even China...GO!!!



Gods challenges are him trusting you with the blessings he wants to give you. Remember God will not give us more than he can bear. He is always there supporting and guiding us along the way. And if we are in need? Either it will automatically be provided, or we may be tested in our faith to pray for it so we can receive it. Either way it will be given to us.

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God does not want us to be cookie cutter Christians. Everyone is different and brings different perspectives and ideas to the game. He uses each one of us according to our abilities, which he gave us in the first place. They were meant to be used for his service. He chose you to have and use that gift and ability. Because there are people out there that only you can reach. God put you in that job, God put you in that church, God put you in line with that cashier, God gave you that friend. Gods hand works in all situations, with all ideas, and with all people.

Even if your are a half black half Mexican, pregnant, dirty grungy teen who sits in the back row who was just called to go to China to teach ESL by using the Bible as your textbook.