When we encounter another person, we always have a choice about how to respond to him or her. Sadly, not all our typical responses are the kind that reveal Jesus to the world.
For instance, it’s so easy to look away instead of really looking at the people around us.
We focus our attention on ourselves—what we need to do, how busy we are,
how little money we have, how difficult our lives are at the moment, what important issues need our attention.
I’ve done this way too many times, and I’m sure you have too. It’s basically the same response as the lawyer and the Pharisee who hurried by the wounded man in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan.
Even more commonly, I find, we can respond to those we encounter with judgment and criticism—by keeping our eyes on the other person’s sins and shortcomings. We choose to give our opinions rather than acknowledging our common humanity. And even if we would never do this out loud, we may do it mentally—assuming we know what made them what they are or what they should be doing or what’s going on with them.
It’s so easy to fall into doing this on a little or a large level—to categorize people on the basis on what they’re wearing, what they look like, how they act, what we believe they may be thinking or doing. Because our vision is limited, it’s all too easy to jump to conclusions. We need the reminder of a quote that I’ve often seen:
“Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”
Another possible way to respond to other people, especially people in need, is to patronize them—to help them without really seeing them. It’s absolutely possible to give to others or serve them without actually loving them. It’s possible to interact without engaging—without actually entering others people’s reality or paying attention to what they really need. When we do that, we miss the opportunity to really see that other person and to show them Jesus’ heart.
A very common substitute for really seeing someone is to try to change the other person, to basically offer our help and attention in exchange for the other person’s response. This is another way of making it all about us—our opinions, our requirements. We attempt to assert control by laying down ground rules. We’ll give money … if it’s used for food and not alcohol. We’ll invite someone over … if that person invites us back. We’ll help others … if those others are properly grateful. This, too, misses the point of seeing Jesus in others and being Jesus to them.
Now, this last issue can be a little tricky because in some cases we do help another person by holding him or her accountable for change. But in my opinion, this is only appropriate if we’ve earned the right to do that by becoming fully engaged in the other person’s life, being current. And only if we do it with the other person’s permission.
It’s just so easy to miss out on the chance to see Jesus and be Jesus to the people we encounter.
But we don’t have to miss out. We always have another option. The option to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s nudge and obey the commands of Scripture. The option to open our eyes and our hearts and hands.
To see Jesus in others.
To be Jesus to them.
Learning to do that may take a lifetime, but it’s an adventure worth living.
Adapted from The God Who Sees You by Tammy Maltby (with Anne Christian Buchanan). Copyright 2012 David C. Cook. Used with permission. Permission required to reproduce. All rights reserved.
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