Look Around

It seems simple enough, but how often do we go through our day without taking time to consider—to really pay attention—to the people around us? How many people do we pass by without as much as a fleeting thought? Whether I am busy, distracted, focused on my own issues and problems, or simply off in my own little world, it's easy to allow my thoughts to center around one person: me!

These past few weeks, we have been meeting with friends and ministry partners as we transition to a new place of missionary service. Though it's a lot of work, it is also a blessing to connect with so many people—many of whom we haven't seen in a long time. It is refreshing to catch up with old friends, and we have been blessed by the outpouring of support and encouragement as we move toward serving with Compass Aviation.

But there is also a flipside. For all of the happy faces and friendly greetings, we have found that many people are also struggling. When I ask people whether they have anything I can be praying for, it usually doesn't take long for them to come up with something. Whether it's a health problem, the death of a loved one, family issues, or something else, many are dealing with hurt, loss, and pain. Often, they deal with these things silently. It should not be this way! Why aren't we, the Church, loving each other and bearing each other's burdens? Why do so many people feel as if they have no place to turn for help, love, and support?

In my experience, there are a number of reasons for this. Sometimes we feel alone, as if no one will understand. Other times we simply don't know who we can talk to. We wonder how people will respond if we are open and honest. Will we be judged? Will we become the next topic in the church gossip ring? Will we be chastised for lacking faith? These worries and concerns can lead us to internalize our struggles and keep them hidden behind a facade. In some churches, it's believed that speaking negative words is tantamount to speaking curses over oneself or others, so struggles and hardships cannot be verbalized.

My point is not to write exhaustively about the reasons we keep our struggles quiet. Rather, it is to encourage you to stop and look around. Look at the people that you pass by every day—at work, at school, in your home. Maybe take a minute to ask how they are doing. Not as a greeting only, but to really ask how they are. Of course, that begs the question, "What do you do after they actually tell you?" That's an important question, but a question for another day. A place to start is taking time to look around with love and compassion, and ask the Lord to help us be a conduit of His love and peace to those around us.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:12–17