For some time I have been burdened about how we see each other as individuals and people. In a country that is red and blue, black and white, rural and urban, educated and uneducated, haves and have-nots, masked and unmasked, and on and on, we are in significant trouble. This is true on multiple levels ~ and is sometimes true in the church as well.
How do you see the people around you? What do you see? Who do you see?
I think of these questions:
- Do I see people as those for whom Christ died?
- Do I see people as people with cares? …concerns? …worries? …apprehensions?
- Do I see people as those with interests? …problems? …concerns? …curiosities?
- Do I see people as individuals in sorrow? …sadness? …burdens? …distress? …trouble?
- Do I see people as ones who hope? …dream? …desire? …wish? …anticipate? …yearn?
- Or do I not see any of these things at all? Is it possible I just see people as those who should care about me? …serve me? …work for me? …think about me? …me, me, me?
- Or do I see people as race? …color? …tattoos? …piercings? …styles? …particular vocations? …particular lifestyles? …only those similar to me? ….only those different than me? …only those in a particular place in life? …only those who are cool?
- Is it possible all the people around me are simply invisible to me?
For those of us who love and serve Christ, the love of Christ constrains us to carefully think through this issue.
I have a friend who is excellent at this. Eyes to see people. Voice inflection. Kind. Caring. Generous. Consistent. Sacrificial. Constant smile. Incredible attitude without judging people – most of the time. Upon reflection, especially those in my church family, probably several friends who fit most of these qualities. But these qualities are rare.
With this simple introduction, I humbly leave it with you. I certainly desire to do my best in this area every day ~ but most importantly at the church in the body of Christ. My own imperfections prick my heart even as I write this.
May God grant us all wisdom as we seek to see people as individuals in the image of God who are people just like us.
May God grant that to me as well.
Image Credit Ani Kolleshi
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