The Set-Up:
It is a very human thing to look at the people around us and evaluate them. We consider some to be valuable, wise, influential, and others…well, not so much. In general, we tend to admire people who we see as better than us in some way or who have qualities we see as beneficial or inspiring.
God sees people from an entirely different perspective. Any admirable qualities someone may have are gifts that God has given them. He is not in need of a person’s talents or abilities, but He sees each of us as valuable simply because every person on this earth is a unique expression of His creativity and character.
Passage to Read:
Reflection Questions:
What criteria do you use to “size up” people and determine their value? How does it affect the way that you see them and treat them?
What do you think it means that God chose the foolish and weak to “shame” the wise and strong?
What things can you do to retrain your thinking to see people and value them the way that God does?
Prayer Idea:
As you go through your day today, focus your attention on the people you encounter who would not be considered wise, influential, wealthy, or otherwise notable by human standards. Pray for them as you see them, and pray also for yourself to see and feel the value that God puts on them.
This devotional was written by John Hoffman.