HAVE you ever paused to consider how you view the people you meet?

Last week, I heard a great quote that has encouraged me to look at those I ‘do life with’ from a wider perspective.

Josh Billings, a 19th century humorist, says: “Love looks through a telescope, but envy through a microscope.” Isn’t this so true?

We can easily fall into the habit of zooming in on people and scrutinising their character, words and actions so closely that we never fail to find fault in them. And sadly, when we do, this is often all we can focus on.

What if Jesus were to look at our lives in this way? What would he see? I’m pretty certain he would soon find our flaws. The amazing thing is, though, he chooses to use the telescope. He views us with a wider lens, as children of God, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). He chooses love. Always.

The Bible tells us to love others as Jesus loves us (John 13:34) – so let’s make the effort to ditch the microscope that concentrates on the negatives, and put the telescope to use and see the beauty in the people around us.