Scripture of the Day

"...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." — 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Reflection

Jo Ward, a longtime member and servant of First Baptist Knoxville, never preached to thousands. She never planted a church or published a book. But every week in the counseling room and every Sunday morning in the hallways, she did what Barnabas did — she saw people.

Not their worst moment. Not their diagnosis. Not their failure. She saw the grace of God in them, waiting to be called forward. And then, week after week, she called it forward — a word here, a hug there, a presence that said: You matter. God is not finished with you.

That is an extraordinary gift. And it is not reserved for the specially trained or the particularly gifted. It is available to any person who is genuinely full of the Holy Spirit and genuinely paying attention.

Most people walk through the world feeling largely invisible. They carry wounds and doubts and quiet despair that they never mention aloud. They sit in churches and workplaces and families, wondering if anyone would notice if they disappeared. And then someone — one person — looks them in the eyes and sees them. Really sees them. Names something true and good in them.

That moment can change the entire direction of a life.

You have that power. Not because of your talent or your training, but because the Spirit of God lives in you — and He sees everyone perfectly.

Question for Personal Reflection

Think of the last few conversations you had. Were you truly present — genuinely seeing the person in front of you? Or were you distracted, half-present, waiting to talk?

Action Step

In your very next conversation today, make a deliberate choice to be fully present. Put the phone away. Make eye contact. Listen to understand, not to respond. Afterward, say one true, specific, encouraging thing to that person.

Prayer

Lord, give me eyes like Yours. Help me see people the way You see them — not by their worst moment or their current struggle, but by the grace You are working in them. Make me someone who calls out what You are building in the people around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.