I was listening to Graham Cooke and was convicted by what I heard. What follows is my synopsis of his talk with some of my own thoughts thrown in.
A snapshot is a sudden perspective, an abrupt view. Snapshots are often unflattering and untrue. Haven't you experienced this? From both sides of the camera? The moment captured is not about WHO you are or your TRUE intent. A snapshot can become a cheap shot when we take a momentary glimpse of a person and make an interpretation or judgment.
A literal snapshot is a metaphor for how we see people in life. On any given day in any given moment, we are assessing and judging the person in front of us. What if we were to dispense with how a person looks or is behaving, and instead looked through the eyes of our heart? I am not suggesting we ignore what someone is saying and doing - I am saying don't start and stop there. What if we took a moment to ask, "God, how do YOU see this person?" What if we looked beyond the immediate and looked and listened beneath?
We often hear about the importance of first impressions. What's your success rate? Haven't you been wrong? They're snapshots. And who are you that someone would want to impress you, anyway? In that moment on that day...Let's just say that practicing humility is good.
Believe the best of people and speak to THAT; speak to the beauty and capacity that is possible in each of us. Allow each other the space and grace to become better! Give people the power to BE. Show them the place to step into. Our words have power and what we speak to emerges.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." - Proverbs 18:21 The Bible -
Blessings,
Beth
Wise words Beth, it takes time to discern someone's true character. Words and actions speak over time and first impressions are often wrong. I agree with you that everyone needs the space and grace to become better. Aren't we all works in progress and being renewed each day?
ReplyDeleteWe are, indeed, all works in progress. thanks for your comment!
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