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Do You See Them?

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When thinking about living a missional lifestyle, it is not that we don’t have the time or money or desire to live a life sent with the intention of sharing Jesus with others—His love, His life.

The question is do we see them? See who you ask. Them.

Jesus saw them. He didn’t look past them. He noticed them. Had compassion on them. Lived life with them.

Especially because we have a young child, I think about a Bible story told a lot to children. The story of Zaccheus the tax collector. If you aren’t familiar with the story, you can find it in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 19:1ff.

[quote cite=”Luke 19:5 NASB”]And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”[/quote]

Jesus noticed Zaccheus. Even though he was not in His line of sight. Those with Jesus preferred to not notice this small, disliked man. Yet, Jesus not only saw this man in a tree, He insisted to eat dinner with him. He wanted to do life with him.

If I had been in Jesus shoes, I probably wouldn’t have seen this man in the tree. Why? I would have been focused on myself and all the attention the crowd was paying me. Even if I did see that man, I might have ignored him. Don’t offend all these people that think I am so wonderful. Besides, I have a busy schedule with more important people to see.

Who is it that Jesus sees that I look right past? I think about how I react when someone suggests that I serve someone or participate in a service project. I usually have selfish thoughts—I am too busy; someone else will do that; I have better things to do with my time.

Difference between Jesus and me? He lived life with the intention of seeing other people. He not only saw them, He looked right at them and engaged them, lived life with them.

Who are some of these people that I don’t see?

Fatherless

Yes, we fostered and adopted. God has my attention. But for most of my life I looked past those children without a family. God doesn’t.

Homeless or Poor

Yes, the poor will always be among us. Not a reason to not see them and help meet their needs. There biggest need is not always money. It is respect, value, being seen.

Lonely

We don’t talk about loneliness much. If someone says, “I am lonely” most common response is, “Why? Get out of your house and hang out with other people!”

Lots of things isolate people. Health, age, shame, insecurity, shyness. Do we see them or blow them off? What about widows? Who visits them?

Broken

[quote cite=”Isaiah 61:1 NASB”]The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners. [/quote]

Who do I know that is brokenhearted, needs freedom?

Different

You might notice people who look different, sound different, act different, think different. But do you really see them? Do you care to understand them? Are you afraid they might “rub off” on you or have a bad influence on you?

Jesus was criticized for spending time with prostitutes, cheaters, foreigners. What am I be criticized for?

Right in front of me

I don’t have to go to the other side of the world or country or even my city to find people who are fatherless, poor, lonely, broken, or different from me. They live in my neighborhood, go to my schools, work in my workplaces, sit next to me on the bus or at the restaurant.

The question is will I see them? Jesus does. What will I do if I see them?

Live life with them? Now that is a missional lifestyle.

About the Author

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I am a longtime Austinite. Married my beautiful wife over 35 years ago. Adopted our son September 2012.
As a small business and nonprofit coach/consultant, I have found my sweet spot. I lean on my varied background of corporate, small business ownership, writing, and pastoring as I work to help small business owners and nonprofit founders build the business they want to have.


  • Great post my friend. I think that we ‘ignore’ rather than ‘don’t see!’ I find myself seeing the homeless, lonely, hurting and broken people, but through my own selfishness I choose to ignore them rather than directing my thoughts and actions to help rescue, support or come alongside of them. When the Holy Spirit gives us that nudge, we need to operate in the power and boldness to do what He is telling us to do. Go for it is what I am learning!

  • I loved this post. It challenges me. During study of God’s word this week in Matthew 19, Jesus looked at the rich man, loved him, spoke to him and gave him truth for his life. I was touched by the simple fact that Jesus looked at him. Our son struggles with looking anyone in the eyes so looking has taken on new meaning to me…looking and truly seeing. Lord help me to look, truly see and love those around me.

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