Today, you missed seeing the intrinsic value in someone and they and you both missed out because of it. Let me explain…
Have you ever heard the names Susan Boyle and Ted Williams?
Both have found incredible fame and have one thing in common: they were ‘discovered’ by someone, late in life, who recognized their value and the gift that they had been blessed with.
It may be that many hundreds or even thousands of people passed them by before that time with no thought to their potential.
Both were, at face value, nothing special but when someone took the time to look past their outward appearance, their special gifts became apparent.
Not Just Voices
Both Susan Boyle and Ted Williams happen to have voices which are quite extraordinary but vocal talents aren’t the only talents around.
EVERYONE has something special about them. We were all ‘fearfully and wonderfully made‘ all ‘made in God’s likeness‘.
We are ALL incredible. It’s not possible to be made by the creator of the universe, in his own image, without being rather special.
Every one of us has intrinsic value because we are the special creations of Almighty God and each of us has value in the gifts that he has given us.
Hard to See
Sometimes, those gifts can be hard to see. Our prejudices, blindness and self-serving natures keep us from being able to look past the visible and into the heart.
As the bible tells us that man ‘looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart‘ and it’s so true.
Every day we all make judgement calls about the people we see and meet based on nothing but what we ‘see’.
We make judgement calls based on the words or actions of some people without every taking the time to get to know and understand them.
We also make judgement calls based on our past experiences with others without even giving people a chance.
… and in doing so, we miss out on more than we could ever know.
You missed an opportunity today. You missed something BIG.
You missed the chance to look past what you think you know and discover the wonder of who someone really is and what their unique gifts are today.
Whether it was the homeless guy you passed on the street, the person sitting next to you on the train, the person in your office whose name you barely even know or whoever it was, you missed a chance today.
What are you missing out on because you’re failing to see the value in someone?
What are they missing out on because their gifts and their intrinsic value continue to be ignored?
Most importantly though… what can you do about it?
I love everything about this post, Peter. You are speaking my language.
Thanks, Tony.
It’s not often I speak someone else’s language 🙂
I struggle to slow down enough to notice things. Too, too busy.
I know THAT feeling… and then I sit at home later, even DAYS later and start thinking about things that I didn’t even know I didn’t notice!
Good point, and I’m all too guilty of it. Time to go learn something new about someone…
🙂
Thanks, Frank.
Love this post, Peter. Excellent! I’ve literally asked God to give me His love for people because I didn’t feel it and it definitely hinders how you see or perceive people. Having His love and eye for people makes all the difference. Thank you.
Thanks, Jason.
My blog posts would be so much better if you could comment BEFORE I publish them so I can edit in your wisdom!
That reminds me of my favourite quote from Shakespeare :- “Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head; and this our life, exempt from human haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.” [Source: As You Like It (Duke Senior at II, i)]
Also,it leaves me in awe of your insights, and how well you express them.
Thanks, Dad.
If I have any skills, I learned them from you!