Working in cross cultural situations gives us a unique opportunity to see other people. But sometimes we see through filters we are not even aware of. How we see others affects the way we respond to them. And therein lies the importance of clear vision.
Many of us wear glasses to improve our vision, and also wear much thicker lens on the eyes of our heart. We see through the lenses of stereotypes, misconceptions, fear and pride. These lenses were fitted to our hearts from childhood and have become so comfortable we don’t even know we are wearing them.
One day sitting at a traffic light, a really strange person crossed in front of my car. He had dyed hair in a radical style, huge jeans and chains and spikes across his chest. I instantly judged him a troublemaker and profoundly disturbed. Just as he passed in front of my car, he glanced up at me and our eyes locked. Tears began to pour down my face as I realized this was some mother’s son. How her heart must grieve for this son of hers. God changed my sight by touching my heart.
