IN GOD'S EYES
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The Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha, portrays the story of Don Quixote, a man living in a fantasy world. Quixote sees himself as a great knight, riding through the countryside, battling windmills, which he imagines to be dragons. He performs such outlandish tasks to win the affection of a common prostitute named Aldonza, whom he renames Dulcinea, meaning “Sweetness.” Having experienced repeated abuse, she is hard and cynical—anything but “sweetness.” But in Quixote’s eyes, she is his beautiful princess.
This confused knight treats a hardened prostitute with dignity and respect, loving her in a way no one ever has. In the end, as he lies dying, Dulcinea sings, “The Impossible Dream.” Just before the curtain closes, a voice offstage calls to her: “Aldonza.” Lifting her head from Quixote’s body, she replies, “My name is Dulcinea!” Quixote didn’t view her as the prostitute the world declared her to be. His unconditional love transformed this unworthy woman into his “Sweetness.”
In reality, this is our story. I am Aldonza. You are Aldonza. Rather than faithfully following God, we prostitute ourselves before the idols of the world—pleasure, power, popularity, and possessions. But in God’s eyes? We are the beautiful Dulcinea, his pure and spotless bride (Ephesians 5:27).
This truth is woven throughout scripture. In the Old Testament, the king of Moab hired a prophet named Balaam to curse God’s people. Balaam stood on a hill overlooking Israel’s camp, and opened his mouth to curse them. But God would not allow this curse to pass through his lips. Instead he caused a blessing to come forth. “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river” (Numbers 24:5-6). That’s how God regarded his people—this rebellious bunch of complainers; this disobedient lot, who prostituted themselves before other gods at every opportunity. Thankfully, I’m not God, because I would have seized the opportunity for a vigorous rebuke. But God doesn’t see us as we see ourselves. We are his beloved Dulcinea.
Without Jesus, I am a wretched, unworthy sinner; a brazen Aldonza. But Christ gives me a new identity, transforming me into his beautiful Dulcinea. Let that reality sink in. Because once we grasp our new identity, deep in our souls, like Aldonza, our lives will never be the same.
Principle: God sees us as his beautiful “Sweet One,” his pure and spotless bride.
Ponder:
On a scale of one to ten, how difficult is it for me to see myself as God’s “Sweet One?”
What steps can I take to help me remember this?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Numbers 22-24.
Prayer: “Lord God, I struggle with deeply believing that you have transformed me from Aldonza into Dulcinea. Help me to see myself through your eyes.”
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Be watching for the new revised edition of “Thriving in Quarantine” launching soon on Amazon.