How Do I Really See?

Yesterday, Pastor Juan closed out our Marked series with a powerful message about seeing ourselves, others, and ministry through the eyes of God. He brought such a strong word. As I reflected on it, I asked How do I really see? His message challenged me in a way that stuck with me long after the service ended.

Is my vision shaped by my natural eyes, filtered through the lens of history, life experiences, and circumstances? Or am I seeing through the lens of God’s truth and grace?

Seeing Myself Through the Eyes of God

Too often, we view ourselves through the lens of past failures, insecurities, and the voices that have spoken over us throughout our lives. We carry the weight of past mistakes, comparing ourselves to others and measuring our worth by human standards. But how does God see us?

• Chosen and loved , “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)

• Fearfully and wonderfully made – “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14, NKJV)

• Redeemed and called by name – “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1, NKJV)

When we allow God’s truth to define us instead of the voices of the past, we begin to walk confidently, knowing we are His workmanship, created with purpose.

Seeing People Through the Eyes of God

How easy it is to judge others based on what we see on the surface! We form opinions about people based on their actions, appearances, or even our past interactions with them. But God calls us to see beyond that—to see people the wayHe does.

Jesus saw people through eyes of compassion. Whether it was the woman at the well, Zacchaeus, or the thief on the cross, He didn’t focus on their past but on their potential. He looked beyond what they had done and saw what they could become through His grace.

What if we did the same? What if we chose to look at people with eyes of love rather than judgment? To see them as image-bearers of God rather than just as their mistakes or circumstances? What if we prayed, Lord, help me see others the way You do?

Seeing Ministry Through the Eyes of God

Ministry isn’t just for pastors or church leaders—it’s for every believer. But sometimes, we see ministry as an obligation, something reserved for the “qualified.” We focus on our limitations rather than God’s power.

We’ve all heard it many times: God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. But can I tell you—this is one of those things that’s easy to preach and believe about other people? It’s easy to look at someone else and say, “God will use them despite their shortcomings.” But when it comes to ourselves, we hesitate. We see our own weaknesses too clearly. We think, Surely, God must have someone better suited for this.

And yet, Scripture is full of examples of God calling the unexpected. He took fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary people and transformed them into world-changers. The same God who called Moses despite his speech problems, who chose David despite his youth, and who used Paul despite his past, is the same God who calls you.

Seeing ministry through God’s eyes means recognizing that it’s not about our ability but about His. It’s about being willing to say, Here I am, Lord. Use me.

A Shift in Vision

So, how do I really see? How do you really see?

Are we looking through natural eyes that filter everything through past pain, circumstances, and personal limitations? Or are we asking God to transform our vision—to help us see as He does?

I pray today that we would see with new eyes—eyes of faith, eyes of grace, and eyes that reflect the heart of God.

Prayer for today

Lord, open my eyes to see myself, others, and the work You have called me to through Your lens. Let me not be limited by what my natural eyes perceive, but instead be led by the truth of who You are and who You say I am. Amen.