Beyond the Surface

"Jesus had an uncanny ability to look past the obvious flaws in people's lives and envision who they could become if the power of God were released in their lives. Intrinsically, He just wondered about people. Wondered what they could become. Wondered how they might look in a transformed state. Wondered what impact they could have if their lives were invested in things of eternal value. He somehow saw the godly worshipper clothed as a worn, weary prostitute. The faithful disciple hiding inside a fisherman called Simon. The hidden philanthropist in the life of a crooked tax collector named Zaccheus. The risk taker in a cowardly Jewish ruler named Nicodemus. What a fantastic gift He had for seeing what nobody else could see! "All things are possible" was Jesus' mantra. All things. And countless lives were trnsformed because He chose to look past surface stuff to see what was ultimately possible." This is a passage that I have up on my study wall to remind me.* Just reminding me of the right way to look at people. I need that reminder. I fall so easily into the trap of making superficial judgments. But, "All things are possible" - change is possible . . . * Unfortunately did not note the title and author of the book!