It is finished, Jesus said. His sufficiency instantly covered our infinite future insufficiencies yet to occur. He died to make us new, yet so often we forget where to look when we need to be reminded that we are already enough.
Instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus, we tend to fixate on that which is easily seen right in front of us. Perhaps to the degree to which we look to others to fill us up, is the degree to which we are needing more of Jesus.
Bob Goff once said, “Live your life like you’re exactly who Jesus thinks you are.” What if, therein lies the key to radical heart change? Recognizing that we are justified and forgiven – that we are sufficient even in our insufficiencies ceases striving and frees ourselves and others from the bondage of guilt.
The amazing paradox is, we are already enough, even so – Christ isn’t finished with us yet! Have you ever noticed that when you treat people as if they are already who they are becoming, they tend to rise to the occasion? What if we made the hopeful choice to start seeing ourselves and others the way that Jesus sees us – redeemed and justified. So even as we each struggle with the effects of sin, we can still choose to view all people through the lens through which Christ views us.
Refusing to condemn someone in their sin, frees them from bondage and reflects to them the image of who they could become. Painting people a picture of who they could be, simply by treating them as such, inspires a hope in that which is far greater than human self-reliance.
This is why the single easiest way to influence another to change is to interject hope into your interactions with them – even long before you’ve begun to see signs of change from within them. Self change works much the same. When we see ourselves as already who we are in the process of becoming, we are much more likely to rise to the occasion.
You know how you can feel much more motivated to continue working out and eating right, once you’ve gained momentum and started seeing even the smallest results? Well in the case of human interaction, those smallest results would be the affirmation from others that they see the value already placed in us, even as it is still developing.
As Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe has said,”If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. If you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become that bigger and better man.”
I love this Sybil! I have always said that compliments make me want to be better. If my fiance compliments my hair, then I am naturally going to want to make it look nice the next day too! Lol I’m not sure why but that’s just the way it is. But I love all your points, especially the decision to refuse to condemn people. Thanks for this! Oh and I’m going to Weekend to Remember this year so I share your post the other day 🙂
That is awesome Holly! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Great post! Perfect timing. God is enough for us. 🙂
Yes! Amen!
So true! I had to realize that changing my children started with ME! Reminding myself to keep my eyes on Jesus is what I do every day now that I’ve surrendered it all to Him, my Savior. Thanks for the affirmation.
That is wonderful to hear – thanks for sharing!
Great post, very encouraging! It is so easy to forget that the best way to change interactions with people starts with changing yourself.
Such a much needed reminder for us all! Thanks KC 🙂
“What empowering words can you gift someone today to call out the best in them? How can you hold up a mirror to reflect to others the best version of themselves – the person who they are becoming?”
Oh what a powerful insight and perfect motive for change!
I have experienced this very thing! And it works!! There is nothing more powerful for another person than the true and positive encouragement out of love and hope. And people that have treated me as though I am at my best, inspire me to be just that. I love this, Sybil!
Chris, that’s awesome! Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Such beautiful insights! I love the Bob Goff quote. This is a really tough thing to implement though…especially when the other person’s current behaviors impact you in a negative way. Great to work on, though!
Sara, I could not agree more – it is SO tough to do at times, which is exactly why it’s so refining for all 😉
Love love LOVE this! What an inspiration to help others and ourselves. 🙂
Awe thank you Sarah!
“Painting people a picture of who they could be simply by treating them as such, calls them to rise to the occasion.” I LOVE THIS! Such a beautiful post Sybil. I love your heart <3 a
Amy! Thank you, sweet girl!
I also love the way you create your pictures. What program do you use?
Thank you Amy! I use PicMonkey BUT these particular pictures were created by my amazing VA, Samantha 🙂 She has helped me out alot lately as I’ve started so many new endeavors in such a short amount of time that I couldn’t get by without a pinch hitter!
What a beautiful reminder! It’s amazing how God use us as we are and thankfully He’s not finished with us yet! I love your quote by Bob Goff and need to be better about living this out!
Oh Sarah, I agree! You’re in good company 😉