The people who knew Simon knew he was impulsive and tended to put his foot in his mouth. But Jesus saw something else in him; that’s why He renamed him Peter, implying he was a stone suitable for a foundation.

Can’t you imagine the look on the other disciples’ faces when Jesus said, ‘You are Peter… upon this rock I will build My church, and… hell will not conquer it’ (Matthew 16:18 NLT)? Yet Peter did indeed become a founding pillar and respected leader in the early church. And all because of Christ’s ability and willingness to look beyond the surface and see what was on the inside.

Being made in God’s likeness gives a person amazing potential, but sometimes it takes ‘a man of understanding’ to recognise it and draw it out. Too many of us see only what is on the surface. So we are quick to peg someone as arrogant, or quick-tempered, or weak, etc. But when you have spiritual insight, you see beyond all that, to the hopes and fears behind the person’s behaviour. We don’t need more self-appointed critics, we need:

(1) Parents who pray for their children, look beyond their flaws, and draw out their uniqueness.

(2) Spouses who search for the hidden treasure in their mates.

(3) Business leaders who treat their workers with respect, and match their responsibilities with their talents.

(4) Believers who forgive immature, stumbling fellow Christians and work to develop them.

(5) Soul winners who see lost people through the eyes of Jesus and recognise what His transforming power can do. So pray for spiritual insight.