by Natalie Fortunato
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
The term "Beer Goggles" has been around for quite awhile, but I first heard it several years ago. It refers to "the supposed influence of alcohol on one's visual perception, whereby one is attracted to people who would not otherwise be appealing". All I can say is, what a sad substitute for learning good social skills, and a sure way to make some really stupid and hurtful mistakes.
But in all fairness, heavy beer drinkers are not the only ones who wear "goggles". We've all had at one time, or still do, see through "goggles" that impair our vision or perception about others. Some people see others through the goggles of their past, and can't seem to get past their failures. Some see others through the goggles of what the world deems valuable, and they judge others as invaluable.
But then there's those who see others through the eyes of grace…like Jesus did. He sees past the outward appearance, the past mistakes, the present mess, and sees a life worth dying for. When we put on our "grace goggles", we also see others through the lens of the Word. We see others through the "finished work of the cross". We see that everyone has capacity and value and a God-given purpose for their lives.
