The God Impulse By Jack AlexanderSample

Day Five

Seeing Through God’s Lens

Scripture: Romans 9:23

An eye doctor often makes you look at an eye chart through a series of lenses. “Can you see better through lens number one? Or”—they’ll say as they snap a new choice into view—“lens number two? How about three . . . or four?” 

God asks us to see as he sees—to see through his lens. People who are afterthoughts in our own worldly kingdom are princes and princesses in God’s kingdom:

The poor in spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 NIV). 

The literal poor. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20 NIV). 

Children. “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4). 

Servants. “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11–12). 

Slaves. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matthew 20:26–27 NIV). 

Those who learn and teach the Bible. “But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19 HCSB). 

Small things. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10). 

Enemies. “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). 

Did you notice how we often have a tendency to look past many of these people or things? We cannot be “great” in God’s kingdom if we do not see the people and understand the things he calls great.

And sometimes, even when we see well enough, we don’t have the tenderness of heart to act on what we witness. We must be disposed to not only see but also understand what we’re seeing—and when it’s appropriate to act on it. We not only have to look through God’s eyes but feel as God feels. Then not only will we have the vision of caring for the lost, guilty, and broken, we will be on the lookout to make it happen. 

Who are the most vulnerable people you encounter in your daily life?