From the Lord’s View
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7
Several years ago, a Hollywood actor conducted an experiment. He had starred in several blockbuster movies that became beloved classics; his fans knew his work and his face. To prepare for the lead role in an upcoming film, he went undercover and posed as a homeless man on the streets of New York City. Disguised in a dirty beanie, a tattered coat, jeans and a long-past 5:00 shadow, he looked the part.
As he hit up passersby for spare change, people ignored him. They walked right past the award-winning actor as if he didn’t exist, as if he didn’t matter. Only one person stopped to give him food. In his head, the actor understood why pedestrians pretended not to see him, but he found it was an emotionally disturbing experience. By their responses – or lack thereof – they proved they failed to consider the heart inside that homeless man.
The world view is focused on outward appearances. There is so much pressure, not only on Generation Zr’s to fit in, find their tribe or be an “influencer”, it affects people of all ages. We must be the right weight, the right height, wear the right clothes, bring in the right amount of income and so on. How can anyone meet those impossible standards? We can’t. Thank goodness the Father doesn’t value us for those outward things.
My husband and I once befriended a couple who did not meet the criteria of external beauty. They worked in the service industry, didn’t dress well, speak well, and – like the actor — people mostly ignored them. Still, we welcomed them into our home and into our lives. It was by being kind to them and treating them with respect that we learned where their hearts were; faithful to attend church and quick to show how much they loved people as followers of Christ.
A number of years ago, an acute illness put me in the hospital for several days including
a holiday weekend. Until that point, I had never missed an Easter service in my life. I had urged my family to attend church by assuring them, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine”. But alone in my room, I had myself quite the pity party, ugly cry and all. That morning, this couple visited me. They said because I wasn’t able to attend Easter ceremonies, they had “brought church to me”. They read scripture, sang and prayed for me. I learned the husband was an ordained minister, who quietly – and unheralded – served the Lord. Sensitive to the Spirit and in an unselfish act, they not only heard His voice, but responded. God knew their hearts and guided them to soothe me in my distress. It cost them little to come see me, but on that miserable day, it was priceless. Though it’s been decades ago, I’ll never forget them taking time out of their Resurrection Sunday to spend part of it with me.
Connecting with humanity and being supported by family and friends is something we all want. You may not feel the call for ministry to the homeless – many people aren’t – but we can take our eyes off our circumstances long enough to notice those around us. That homeless man is a person, born into a family; somewhere there are people who love him. Don’t ignore his pain. From your heart, give what you have, even if it’s only spare change or a bottle of water.
If you see a widow who looks as if she’s about to burst into tears, it isn’t necessary to ask how long ago her husband passed away, if it’s his birthday, their anniversary or if she misses him more than usual today. You just have to wrap an arm around her and soothe her with the warmth of human contact.
If you witness someone fall; help that person up. If someone is sitting alone in a restaurant and looks lonely, ask if you and your family can join him or her, then listen to their story. If a young man opens the door for you, thank him then add, “Your mama raised you right.”
We live in a world driven by need. God has provided us with various and creative ways to meet those needs; most cost only the gift of our time. If you see something, do something. The Lord will always be looking at your heart.
Elaine Hall
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