Seeing God in others can take on many forms. As a young girl, I learned from my church family that God is filled with love, mercy and grace. My mother taught me that Jesus was my friend. I could talk to Him at any time. This was a great foundation to begin my relationship with Christ.

As I got older, I began to experience other Christian views. Views of right and wrong. Views that said I had to believe and behave in specific ways or God would harshly judge me. I began to feel judged by God. I started making choices that a “good Christian girl” wouldn’t make. Feeling judged turned into a blanket of shame. I inflicted myself with a pile of should’s. I allowed the shame and judgement to cloud my love of self and others.

Seeing God in others in an authentic way reminded me of the Character of God. They showed my how God is there in the midst of their struggles. They shared how love transformed their hearts. They bared their flaws and how faith brought them through the difficulty. They gave me the gift of seeing who God is rather than focusing on the should’s I had bought into. God’s character is unchanging. God is love, grace, mercy.

“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind. (Isaiah 40:31 MSG).

Authentic Christians helped me lift the shame and see the gift of a God who relentlessly pursues us, is there when we stumble, and gives strength we we are weak. Seeing God in Others in an authentic way renewed my faith. Reflecting on it now reminds me that Christ in me is what others see. I want others to see the character of Christ not a bunch of rules that bring shame and hurt. I want others to see grace, love and mercy through me to point them to the Source.

How have others expressed God to you? Have you seen the Character of Christ in others or a pile of should’s? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.