Take Notice! This Small Change Could Open More Than Just Your Eyes…
It is so easy to walk right past people, to not even notice them. I almost did that yesterday.
He was standing out in front of his food stall. Looking for customers. About fifty years old, balding, and with a roundish figure to match his age, he seemed a bit down. Behind the counter, was his wife, wearing a head-covering and black hijab. She rolled dough for naan and chapatis. My husband and I almost walked right by, but we were hungry, and Indian food was something I hadn’t had for a while.
We struck up a conversation and I asked how business had been during Covid. “It’s been very hard,” he said. Today, I prayed for this man and his wife, for the brother and little niece who was dancing around in the background of his shop. “Reveal yourself to them, Oh God.”
“Do you want me to return, now that we have some relationship, and talk further about you and the hope you bring to our lives?” I asked the Lord today.
Who Has God Prepared For You?
God has already prepared people for us to share His love with. He brings them across our path. The problem is, we often don’t even “see” them. Busy with our lives, we barely look up at those who serve us, or those we pass on the road.
If we want to be powerfully used by God to bring light and salt to those around us, we need to slow down and notice people. It only takes a moment, but may turn into a life-changing spiritual conversation. Or, at the very least, provide encouragement and a bright spot in someone’s day. Adele Calhoun calls it “practicing the presence of people” in her book Invitations of God. It’s one I’ll be putting on my recommended reading list.
Reflections From Phukhet
These past few weeks, my husband and I have been in Phuket, Thailand in what is called the “Sand Box.” It is Thailand’s effort to make a way for tourism to continue while enforcing quarantine restrictions. Phuket is a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches. It’s been a lovely, restful time for us.
Phuket is also filled with depressed Thais, worried about how they will survive the pandemic. Thais are known around the world as smiley people. Some call Thailand the land of smiles. Underneath the smiles, there is a lot of pain and worry.
A spa receptionist told me last week, “we used to be full of people. Now we get one or two customers a day.” Driving along one of the beaches, we saw shop after shop closed, boarded up.
In the midst of my “forced holiday” here, I’ve been asking God to help me notice those who need encouragement. Sometimes people just need someone to listen, to hear their story. Am I too busy to even pause to do that?
What would Jesus do if He had to be here, under quarantine restrictions? Who would He heal, love, or speak words of life to?
Are there “women at the well” for me here? Maybe “women at the beach”? Perhaps I’m not even noticing them. Could the medical professional giving me that swab test be a Matthew? Waiting for a God encounter, for someone would invite him to follow the Master?
The only way I will know the answer to that is if I actively learn to practice the presence of people. It will only happen if I open my eyes (and heart) to notice those around me.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matt. 9:36 NIV
Our First Responsibility Is To See People
If we don’t even notice, or see, the people around us, we can’t possibly show God’s love to them. Jesus saw people. He noticed them. In the verse above, it says “he saw the crowds.” This wasn’t a surficial glance, it was looking and allowing His heart to be touched by their need.
Some years ago God challenged me deeply about my response to beggars. In fear, and because I didn’t know what to do, when I saw someone begging, I’d gotten into the habit of never making eye contact. I didn’t want to “see” them. Conviction filled my heart as I reflected on scriptures about God’s heart for the poor. The Father showed me that the greatest gift I could give someone was to recognize their humanity, to see them with eyes of compassion.
This is true not only of beggars or strangers at the grocery store or market.
Do you see your neighbors? Really see them?
What about those at your workplace? It is easy to get so busy working that we don’t take time to notice facial expressions or body language. It only takes a moment to pause to notice when someone is tired, down, or frustrated. A word of encouragement and kindness goes a long way. It’s a first step toward building a bridge to share more about the love of Christ.
Start Looking
Here’s your challenge. Make a point of noticing people around you. See beyond the surface and take genuine notice of their body language and facial expressions. Pray for them, and listen to God’s leading. As you do, you will be following the example of Jesus. This simple change of behavior may open unexpected doors to share Christ’s love.
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