Pilgrim's Progress: Philip Hobday: As others see us
Recently, as part of my induction to my new role, I asked someone from outside the area what people thought of Wakefield Cathedral. I was intrigued, and surprised, and encouraged, by what they said – an angle on the place that had never occurred to me before.
This week is Burns Night, and if you are raising a dram in honour of that great poet then Slainte!
In a famous poem the Scottish Bard exclaims, O wad some Power the giftie gie us / To see oursels as ithers see us!
To see ourselves as others see us, Burns writes, is a real gift. It can be challenging or even hurtful, especially if others share their views carelessly or cruelly.
Anyone who has managed staff or taught others will know how careful we must be when giving feedback.
What would people say about you or me, I wonder? Even to ask that and remember that others may have a different perspective can give us useful insights, reminding us we can rarely see ourselves clearly and need the wisdom of others.
Of course, for the Christian, God sees us truly and clearly: all our faults and failings, yes indeed, but all our skills and good features and possibilities too.
Daily I must learn to pray that I will see myself, and the people around me, as God sees me, sees them.
Philip Hobday, Wakefield Cathedral