I have been listening to conversations around me as I have gone about my errands. I have been made aware of how much our actions define our identity to the world. As I have thought about how different the KINGDOM is from the world in its thinking a thought continues to run across my heart. I believe it may be for someone who will read this tea thought sometime.
This is the thought, “failure is an experience, not an identity”. We cannot let poor choices or some badly planned experiences define who we are. That is why it is so important that we see ourselves as God does, “in Christ”. In Christ, there is redemptive power to correct or wipe away the consequences of our negative past events.
Don’t be one who judges another as a failure. They may have made some bad choices and acted out some negative things; but do you want people to label you based on your worst day? I encourage you as well as myself, to begin looking at others with the eyes of Christ. See in them the possibilities lying there waiting for someone to speak life into them.
When people left the presence of Jesus they were better than they were before encountering HIM. If we walk in HIS light, we can have the same effect on people. Be the lifter not the one who always puts down. See the good and don’t magnify the negative. Encourage others to dream and work toward fulfilling their visions. Sure they may make mistakes or fall on their face. But they will have expanded in who they see themselves to be. They have dared to reach for the stars. And when they do try that 100th time and finally succeed you will have the joy of knowing you contributed.
As we have heard so often, “don’t let your past determine your future.” Well, don’t let someone’s worst time determine how you see them. Put on your Jesus glasses.
Hope to see you in a Tea Room soon,
Elizabeth