Others see what we do, but God sees why we do it.
Knowing that God sees everything frees us from thinking about the watchful eyes of others. When we do what is right, we need no applause from onlookers; when we sin, we do not need to worry about our reputation once we settle the issue with God and anyone we’ve harmed. We can rest knowing that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the wh...ole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9) ~ Jennifer Benson Schuldt
The above excerpt from The devotional called "Our Daily Bread" brings to mind many things for me in my walk with Christ. Firstly, it reminds me of our human nature. How we all fall into the traps of judgment and opinion over others when they don't seem to follow or be what you would like them to in order to be a part of our breathing space or personal circle of friends. How someone needs to be just like us to be acceptable. How we view others by our standards and miss the fact that God's standard are all that truly matter and how beloved we all are in His eyes. We all judge this way from time to time. I have to catch myself when I commit this offense or I miss it, I need to reflect upon my actions and words that can cause harm to others as well for myself with my relationship being right with God. Asking in prayer to be pure of heart is an ongoing endeavor that only a living God can supply us and get us through. An example for me and the feelings of judgment as a receiver have been a hard lesson to overcome, however it has lead me to a better understanding of the effects and nature of this often times destructive behavior. Not everybody has an open mind and on the surface some may be blind to who you are as you grow deeper and deeper in love and understanding of His will for you.
ie.; I love to dance. I make no bones about it but it's more often not through words of declaration or photos of proof but through my daily actions, however, not everybody sees my dancing the way I do. While many enjoy and are uplifted by my exuberance and technical skills, I've also been on the receiving end of ridicule. I've been evicted from a certain area where I liked to preform it in a facility. I've been mocked and gossiped about. I've been called a show off and people have wondered if I'm off mentally or on drugs. Why? Because it doesn't fit into their presumption of what is acceptable. Their standards of how I should present myself under their set of rules. Something as harmless as feeling free and open to the possibilities of Gods gift to me can become a barrier for others to see who I really am as a person. But this I understand, not everyone is going to see why I do it in a facility that is not a dance studio. Their reasons, without knowing it themselves could fall anywhere from feeling I'm a threat somehow, to jealousy or even breaking an age old code of old standard morality. To put it simply, I enjoy it. That's really all there is to it on the surface if you were to be an observer even if it goes much deeper for me personally as I do feel it would be an offense to God not to experience or share what He so graciously gave to me as He made me capable. For the most part those who are offended won't see it any other way then through their shade of glasses as long as they keep them on.
This is why it is so important for all believers to remember who we are "In Christ" as we continually remember and reflect on where our standards are and align them there at His feet. I know my God delights in me dancing and that I'm praising/thanking Him for His gifts to me as I spin and twirl. The possibility that I can bring Him glory does give me a selfish motive but it also has the potential, that in time, those who were not open, find their walls crumbling, whereby opening up more possibilities of learning and growing through acceptance and compassion, giving to others encouragement to persevere. Isn't this how we are to be? A living example through daily life with consistency and pure motives. All this helps me somehow know and feel I'm in His will and He's smiling down on me. These are enough reasons to spur me on in spite of opposition and judgment by others. Go ahead His beautiful child spread your earthly wings. Don't be afraid of others opinions because "while others see what we do, God sees why we do it.
Knowing that God sees everything frees us from thinking about the watchful eyes of others. When we do what is right, we need no applause from onlookers; when we sin, we do not need to worry about our reputation once we settle the issue with God and anyone we’ve harmed. We can rest knowing that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the wh...ole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9) ~ Jennifer Benson Schuldt
The above excerpt from The devotional called "Our Daily Bread" brings to mind many things for me in my walk with Christ. Firstly, it reminds me of our human nature. How we all fall into the traps of judgment and opinion over others when they don't seem to follow or be what you would like them to in order to be a part of our breathing space or personal circle of friends. How someone needs to be just like us to be acceptable. How we view others by our standards and miss the fact that God's standard are all that truly matter and how beloved we all are in His eyes. We all judge this way from time to time. I have to catch myself when I commit this offense or I miss it, I need to reflect upon my actions and words that can cause harm to others as well for myself with my relationship being right with God. Asking in prayer to be pure of heart is an ongoing endeavor that only a living God can supply us and get us through. An example for me and the feelings of judgment as a receiver have been a hard lesson to overcome, however it has lead me to a better understanding of the effects and nature of this often times destructive behavior. Not everybody has an open mind and on the surface some may be blind to who you are as you grow deeper and deeper in love and understanding of His will for you.
ie.; I love to dance. I make no bones about it but it's more often not through words of declaration or photos of proof but through my daily actions, however, not everybody sees my dancing the way I do. While many enjoy and are uplifted by my exuberance and technical skills, I've also been on the receiving end of ridicule. I've been evicted from a certain area where I liked to preform it in a facility. I've been mocked and gossiped about. I've been called a show off and people have wondered if I'm off mentally or on drugs. Why? Because it doesn't fit into their presumption of what is acceptable. Their standards of how I should present myself under their set of rules. Something as harmless as feeling free and open to the possibilities of Gods gift to me can become a barrier for others to see who I really am as a person. But this I understand, not everyone is going to see why I do it in a facility that is not a dance studio. Their reasons, without knowing it themselves could fall anywhere from feeling I'm a threat somehow, to jealousy or even breaking an age old code of old standard morality. To put it simply, I enjoy it. That's really all there is to it on the surface if you were to be an observer even if it goes much deeper for me personally as I do feel it would be an offense to God not to experience or share what He so graciously gave to me as He made me capable. For the most part those who are offended won't see it any other way then through their shade of glasses as long as they keep them on.
This is why it is so important for all believers to remember who we are "In Christ" as we continually remember and reflect on where our standards are and align them there at His feet. I know my God delights in me dancing and that I'm praising/thanking Him for His gifts to me as I spin and twirl. The possibility that I can bring Him glory does give me a selfish motive but it also has the potential, that in time, those who were not open, find their walls crumbling, whereby opening up more possibilities of learning and growing through acceptance and compassion, giving to others encouragement to persevere. Isn't this how we are to be? A living example through daily life with consistency and pure motives. All this helps me somehow know and feel I'm in His will and He's smiling down on me. These are enough reasons to spur me on in spite of opposition and judgment by others. Go ahead His beautiful child spread your earthly wings. Don't be afraid of others opinions because "while others see what we do, God sees why we do it.
Lord, thank You for Your all-seeing nature. You know
everything I think and do. Help me to value Your
approval and live according to Your standards,
no matter what anyone else may think.
everything I think and do. Help me to value Your
approval and live according to Your standards,
no matter what anyone else may think.
