How do you see people? Do you just see them at face value? Or do you look past the veneer and attempt to find out who they really are? Hopefully, most of us want to see the potential in others, even when there seems to be very little evidence of it. A good teacher will bring out the best in what another teacher might consider to be a trouble-making student. A good coach is able to bring out excellence in a mediocre player. As I enter the local jail day after day, I strive to see the men I minister to as valuable because of the worth our heavenly Father put on them. After all, He sent His only Son to die for them. Too many of them live “down” to the low expectations that have been put upon them by parents, siblings, peers, or just society in general. That’s why I love the account of Gideon in Judges, chapters six through eight. Israel was disobedient to God and was suffering the consequences. They were being terrorized by foreign armies and the people were living in fear. And here is this young man named Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress---hiding from the enemy. In the middle of his fear something wonderful happened to him. God showed up. “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" A mighty man of valor hiding in a winepress? Gideon must have been thinking, “Are You talking to me? If you are the Lord, where have you been? I haven’t seen any miracles lately. Lord, I don’t know if You know it or not, but I’m one weak man---the weakest in all of my family.” Like so many others in the Bible, Gideon began to make excuses. In other words, Gideon didn’t think much of himself. But you see, that was okay, because God thought a lot of him. God could see the potential in this man hiding in a winepress. Many Christians can quote Philippians 4:13 where Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” but do they really believe it? Our strength---which is another word for valor, comes from Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ”. The phrase “in Christ” is listed more than ninety times in the New Testament and if we are to reach the potential God has for us, we must be “in Christ”. So, here’s how we need to look at ourselves and others. We have to see ourselves and others “in Christ”, “through Christ”, “with God”---well, you get the picture. In John 15:5 Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” 

Just like Gideon, God has big plans for you and me. And it will only happen when we realize how awesome God is and that apart from Him we can do nothing. Gideon went on to become that “mighty man of valor” God said he was. He was obedient to God and saw God bring victory to Israel. And when the men of Israel asked Gideon to become their ruler he said this, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you." Gideon knew that he owed it all to the Lord.

Today, ask God to help you see yourself and others through His eyes. God wants to replace your fear with faith. God wants you to come out of hiding and become that mighty person of valor.

Free Indeed,   Harold Watkins