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For now we see only a reflection in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

As beautiful as the full moon is on the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is still only a reflection of something bigger and brighter. Even at its brightest, the full light of the moon pales in comparison to the midday sun. We see much more clearly in the daytime.

This verse tells us that we perceive everything in this life through our imperfect senses, or as the King James version puts it, “For now we see through a glass, darkly.” And one day we will see as clearly and sharply as ‘high definition’, and know things fully and perfectly the way God intended them to be. 

I read this verse in a new light recently. The Holy Spirit pointed it out in relation to people in our lives. There are some who are easy to love. They return our affection, they’re easy to be around, they express thanks, and they show signs of growth, progress or maturity. Then there are the ones who are harder to love. Maybe you have people like this in your life. People who sometimes elbow their way into your life. People who are always happy to talk about themselves more but never ask about you. People who take more than they ever give and never show signs of change.

What if I saw those people as Christ sees them? What if I remembered that I only see them dimly and only know them in part right now?

One way to do that is to take any and all of your favourite comfort and encouragement verses – especially the ones about transformation and sanctification – and pray them for that other person. Change the pronoun to the third person and see if it has an effect on how you feel or think about them.

For example, Jeremiah 29:11 would read this way: For I know the plans I have for [insert name here], plans to prosper him and not to harm him, plans to give him a hope and a future. 

Or Philippians 1:6: He who began a good work in her will be faithful to complete it in her until the day of Christ Jesus.

Here’s one more verse that feels different, more powerful somehow, applied in the context of that hard-to-love person: Love always bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Pray one of these verses for someone in your life who you have a hard time liking or loving, and thank God for him or her. 

We only see a reflection of who another person is today. Imagine who they could be one day in the full light of the Son.