I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NIV

There was a time, as a teenager, when I went to my mother with complaints about the people in the church. I was going out with a young fellow who was not a Christian and when he came to church with me they treated him like a leper. I had hoped that the church would embrace him and nurture him into the faith. Of course that was not my only gripe about the church members and so I was becoming disillusioned. We talked for a long time but the only words I now remember have stayed with me throughout the years and have helped me so many times. She looked at me with love in her eyes and said “Dearest, if you look at people you will never be saved, but if you look at Jesus you will never be lost.” The truth is that every believer is imperfect- weak and failing and on a journey to God’s kingdom. We have no right to judge others, and it is a ploy of the evil one so that we take our eyes away from God. Jesus is our only hope of salvation and by beholding him we are changed into his image. We need to keep our focus on Him. Many times you will be hurt by others in this life but keep your eyes on the one who redeems sinners, who sustains the weary and heals the broken-hearted, for he loves you and longs to share eternity with you in his kingdom.

photo by-shovit-chhetri-pexels