That Doesn't Look Like Me!

A young mother went to Mr. Duffy, asking him to do a portrait of her so that her children would know what she looked like as a young lady. Mr. Duffy was known for his “idealized” paintings - painting his clients as they could be if they were “ideal,” not real. 

When she returned after several months of waiting, she was shocked by what she saw. Angrily she said, “That doesn’t look like me.” 

“I know,” he replied graciously, “but try your best to look as lovely as it does.”  

Mr. Duffy saw in the mother what she could become. So, when he painted her portrait, he brought out the best in her, the “ideal.” His goal? He wanted to help her achieve her best. 

One day after Andrew met and accepted Jesus as the Messiah, he brought Simon to meet Him. As Jesus looked intently at him, He saw an “ideal” disciple and said, “You are Simon, the son of John - but you will from now on be called Cephas (which means Rock).” 

Jesus saw not only who Simon was at that moment in time, but who he could and would one day become. That is the reason He gave him a new name. Peter was not always a “solid rock” during his days with Jesus. But, that is what he became: “rock-solid” as he grew in Christ. 

Fortunately, Christ always sees more in us than we see in ourselves. He sees us as we can be - rock-solid - in our witness for and work with Him. Come. Follow Me! The future awaits. 

Prayer:  Lord, may we walk with You, in faith, believing that You have great plans for our lives. May we trust You completely and become “rock-solid” disciples. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  You are Simon, the son of John - but you will from now on be called Cephas (which means Rock). John 1:42 

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