Many think that nothing good can come from their life, or their efforts for the Kingdom of God. We often compare our lives to our perception of another life and feel we just don’t measure up. Maybe it is because of our past mistakes, or where we grew up, or even the family we came from. Can I remind you today that none of these things define you!

Sometimes our perception deceives us. Many didn’t expect the Savior to come packaged as a baby in a manger. Look at this example in Scripture.

John 1:45-51 NLT

45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. 47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” 48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

I love this story! Nathanael had a perception, or we might even say a prejudice too, he said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” The convincing factor for Nathanael was the way that Jesus acknowledged him when they met the first time. He already knew him because He had seen him under the fig tree.

Have you ever pondered this statement? It obviously meant something to Nathanael. Some commentators suspect that it is possible it was under the shade of a fig tree where he would spend time in meditation and prayer. Perhaps this is why Jesus chose this activity to let him know that He saw him there.

We shouldn’t be surprised by this statement; we know the Bible tells us that He formed us in our mother’s womb. He knew us and saw all the days of our lives before we were ever born! (Ps 139: 13-16)

What is even more amazing is the promise Jesus gave to Nathanael because he shifted his perception and believed. When he realized Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus told him he would see even greater things!

This is the thought I want to leave you with today; do you need to shift your perception and believe you can fulfill the destiny He saw when you were being formed in your mother’s womb? Remember, your past mistakes, or where you grew up, or even the family you came from doesn’t define you, He already did! You just need to walk it out! Be who He called you to be! Know that He sees you under your figurative fig tree, He sees the things we think little of. He sees us in our private devotional time, He hears our prayers, knows our thoughts, and wants us to see the greater things!