“How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith, I was facing death, and He saved me.” (Psalm 116:5-6 NLT)
There are times in each of our lives when we wonder if anyone “sees” us, recognizes us as a valuable person or even cares that we exist. Driving home a few days ago I signaled and slowed my car to make the turn into our development. As I glanced in my passenger side mirror I noticed a car inches from the side of my car, maintaining that distance and pace as I slowed for my turn. As I was turning, they sped away as the guy lifted his arm out the driver’s window and flipped me the international sign of displeasure. Why?
I have a dash cam, so, I reviewed it to see if I’d cut him off or did anything I shouldn’t have been doing. I asked my wife if she noticed anything I’d done to offend them, but neither revealed anything out of the ordinary. Why do we, as human beings, do things like that to each other? And, honestly, that was nothing, having no long-range effects; however, it causes me to think of times that I inadvertently, without thought or notice, ignore or mistreat someone without even being aware I’ve done it?
Loneliness is an epidemic in our culture. With so many people filling our sidewalks and streets; so many ideas vying for recognition and attention in our mind and heart, how easy it is to get lost and feel alone. It’s ironic that we have more and faster means of communicating now than ever in history, yet more people feel lost and alone than ever before.
How about you? Even as a believer in Jesus, do you feel alone? Do you know you’re loved, cherished, appreciated, needed? It’s extremely easy to become so self-focused we miss the efforts of others who are trying to recognize us or get our attention, but, sadly, we can get so self-centered, our focus is so much on how ignored or unloved we are, we miss the opportunities we have, even in our own household, to recognize those who are just as needy as we are.
I’m reminded of the time when my daughter was maybe 4 or 5 years old. I was engrossed in something on TV when I heard this little voice from her upstairs bedroom saying “daddy.” Like any loving, caring father, I ignored it for a while, but when it persisted, at the first commercial ☹, I bolted up the steps and said to her in a not so loving voice: “Heather, what do you need?”
To my shame she responded: “When you’re here daddy, I don’t need nothin’” I’m convinced many times people don’t need something, they need someone. Like the little boy who was frightened and couldn’t go to sleep. His mom sought to assure him that Jesus was with him, but he said to his mom, “I need Jesus with skin on!”
That’s what we all need at times and, fortunately, having Jesus alive in our heart and life allows us the privilege to be for someone else “Jesus with skin on.” Who in your family, among your friends, classmates, co-workers, small group members, neighbors, strangers you encounter, need “Jesus with skin on” to notice them, listen to them, care for them?
There are times when the most precious gift we can give someone is our time. I never ceased to be amazed the many times people would come to my office when I was a Pastor, seeking my “counsel,” but after an hour listening to them, they’d rise from their seat singing my praises for how much I helped them. I didn’t say ten words, but they felt helped. They felt cared for!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 