In his family’s eyes, David would never be more than a shepherd. But in God’s eyes, he was Israel’s next king. It’s amazing how people categorise us the moment we’re born. Somebody says we ‘look exactly like so-and-so,’ or convince us that we’re just average, nothing special. And before we know it, we can end up believing their assessments, opinions and labels. Some people considered Timothy too young to be a leader. That’s why Paul wrote and told him, ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young’ (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV). Other people’s opinions of us have the ability to stop us from moving forwards and stepping into our God-given calling, if we choose to listen to them. If we listen to what God says about us, instead of what people say, then we’ll be empowered and ready to follow Him into our calling. But it’s not just about what people say to us. It’s also about what we say to others. We can list off the problems, mistakes and faults with other people, and decide they couldn’t be used by God. But we should be seeing other people how God sees them. And we shouldn’t be pointing out all the problems others have, when we have just as many ourselves. The Bible says: ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye...first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye’ (Matthew 7:3-5 NIV). So let’s get rid of our labels and life-limiting thoughts, and start dreaming. ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’

What Now?

Think of some people you struggle to get along with. Instead of listing off all their faults and problems, list all their good points and the things God says about them.