“Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward.” — Genesis 13:14

Sometimes the greatest barrier to spiritual growth isn’t a lack of information—it’s a narrow field of vision. In Genesis 13, God speaks to Abram and tells him to lift up his eyes. In other words: Stop staring at what’s right in front of you. Stop letting your present position limit your future purpose. A stubborn spirit keeps us stuck, locked into one way of thinking, one kind of person, one comfortable circle, one familiar culture. But God calls His people to a bigger view. When we develop a broad vision, we start seeing people not as threats, problems, or “others,” but as souls God loves. We can see people that we’re called to serve, understand, and reach with Jesus.

An open mind doesn’t mean we compromise truth. It means we approach people with humility instead of suspicion. It means we listen before we label. It means we learn the difference between conviction and stubbornness. Closed-mindedness builds walls; Christ builds bridges. And when you lift your eyes, you begin to notice what you were missing: the pain behind someone’s attitude, the story behind their choices, the hunger behind their hard questions.

A wider perspective turns everyday encounters into holy opportunities, moments to show patience, extend dignity, and point people toward the Savior who welcomed us when we didn’t deserve it.

Two things you can do this week to enlarge your vision

• Practice “curious listening” with someone different from you.
  Have one intentional conversation where your goal isn’t to correct, it’s to understand. Ask: “What shaped your viewpoint?” and “What matters most to you?” Pray silently while you listen, and look for a bridge to Jesus through kindness and respect.

• Pray daily: “Lord, show me what I’m not seeing.”
  Each morning, take 60 seconds and ask God to reveal blind spots, assumptions, biases, quick judgments, or stubborn attitudes. Then ask Him to give you one opportunity that day to show Christ’s love in a way that stretches you.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I’ve been stubborn, closed-minded, and too quick to judge. Forgive me for shrinking my world down to what’s familiar and comfortable. Cleanse my heart from pride and give me the humility to see people the way You see them. Strengthen me to lift my eyes beyond stereotypes, beyond fear, beyond my preferences and to walk with compassion, patience, and wisdom. Open my mind without weakening my conviction, and open my heart without losing discernment. Use me this week to build bridges, not walls, and to share Your love with people who differ from me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.