It’s so easy sometimes to get caught up in negativity when it comes to dealing with people. As a Human Resource Director I come up against a plethora of situations that want to rob me of my faith in the human race.
Just today I was sitting at Starbucks with a friend and I heard myself say, “I’m so tired of everyone wanting something for nothing.” On my way back to work I heard Casting Crowns’ latest song, Jesus Friend of Sinners. I was hit so hard with the words I almost had to pull to the side of the road.
I am so thankful Jesus never says “I’m so tired of everyone.” How many times have I disappointed Him in such a way that could have justified His brushing His hands of me and my constant failures? Who am I to judge the human race by the few things I experience in my own little corner?
Jesus met men and women who failed miserably in their journey through life. His reaction? He always saw potential.
He called a dishonest tax collector out of a tree because He saw him as someone who could provide a good meal and some stimulating conversation as well as a small man who would set a giant example of restoration.
He spoke with a fallen woman at the well because He saw her potential as a prolific preacher of the good news.
He restored the dignity of a prostitute because He saw a woman who, once she raised her eyes from looking down, would never lose her focus in looking up.
I love that Jesus saw potential in me and chose to save me, to give me a ministry, to give me Christian friends who keep me grounded, to give me a thirst for His word and a hunger for His teaching.
May each of us, in our gratefulness, stop looking at the bad news and remember that the good news seldom gets reported. For every terrible crime there are a million honest people. For every person who cheats there are a million who stick to the rules. For every employee who takes advantage there are a million who believe in hard work. Our job is to see potential and then follow Jesus’ example and find ways to bring that potential to the surface.
Every hard little apple seed could become an apple tree. The potential is there. Someone just needs to see it and believe in it.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Mathew 16:18
Loved it and yes I so understand where you can be and just having to be reminded of it so often from Jesus. Sometimes it seems humanity is hopless and they are without a God who loves them. That is often the side we see in ministry.
Great post:) I especially like the creative way that you describe the woman at the well, the prostitute, nicodemus and so on. I too have often wondered at Jesus love and patience with all the people that flooded around Him all the time. His endless compassion can only be because He is God come to earth to reveal Himself to us. I also take heart when I think of the disciples and how they were not perfect people and yet He loved them and chose them to be His disciples. Thanx for this article. I really needed it because I moved from the country to an urban community 9 yrs ago and I have a very hard time having the compassion for some of the people I run into on a daily basis and yet this is where God has placed me and those are people He loves and wants to reach with His saving gospel, I have to be reminded daily not to shun them but to let His love flow through me to them and for me coming from a small town and country living it is a very tall order indeed so when I’m able to reach past myself and love and pray for someone I give God all the glory because it is only through His grace that I can do it.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I will add you to my prayer list. People are the hardest part of living like Jesus, aren’t they. But then again – we are people. Someone out there is having a hard time coping with us I would guess. God bless you!
Cheryl Dale, HR Director Sundown M Ranch 509-457-0990 (ext 423) cheryldale@sundown.org