looking up, looking down

It's funny how perceptions change as we grow. When we are looking up to someone more mature than us, we admire them. We want that strength, and that level of confidence. We may even misplace our feelings and think we love them. It's a false love, an emotion built around an illusion of perfection.

But looking back at someone, knowing what they're going to have to face, things are very different. I feel a brotherly love, a burning desire to help them grow. But there's something ordinary about it... and something exciting too I guess. It's interesting, especially if it's someone I'd previously looked up to. Before I saw the strength, now I see the struggles.

Looking up we see perfection, looking down we often see flaws. Looking down, I want to see potential. That's how God sees, and that's where I want to be. I want to be cheering people on, not looking down my nose at them. Maybe this is what I've been feeling inside, maybe I've been frustrated because I didn't know how to express my feelings.

I love working out how to incorporate God in my life more; it just makes things that much better. I'm not afraid, even of the hard lessons. Some people say they aren't afraid because God will take care of them. That's a point of view I think misses the big picture. I'm not afraid because my every sacrifice is gain for God.