When you see my face, what do you see?

• Do you see me as someone who was created in God’s image or am I just in your way? 
• Do you see me as someone God loves just as much as you?
• Do you like the way I look? Am I handsome or ugly?
• Do you care how tall or short I am?
• Do you see me as someone who is loved?...or hated? How about both?
• Do you see me?

When we pass each other in the grocery store, do you care if I’m tired or hungry? What if I just want to get my tasks completed and then go home? What if it’s my mom’s birthday and I’m there to purchase her favorite coffee?

When you look at my facebook profile, do you think my life is better than yours? Do you think my house, apartment or job is better than yours?

We all have so much in common … and sometimes lose sight of that.

When you see anyone’s face…what do you see? What should you see? Do you really see them?

This is me…and sometimes it’s you. Sometimes I feel this way! I’m sure you do as well. This is how I’d like to feel more often! Maybe my girlfriend just said ‘yes.’ Maybe I just received a nice compliment from someone … or perhaps a large raise! Are you angry with me because I’m chipper today? Or,  are you happy for me? Is the color of my skin bothering you? God still loves me. I should thank God.

This is me. Sometimes it’s you. I hope I don’t always feel this way … but sometimes I do. Am I in pain, or did I just rob or deceive you? Do you want to help me or will you avoid me from now on? I didn’t mean to appear to you this way. It’s all I’ve got right now and I can’t hide it. God still loves me. I should pray for those who hurt me or you.

This is me. Sometimes it’s you. Is one of my kids in trouble? Did I just lose my job? Or did you just leave me? Do you want to help me or will you avoid me from now on? Will people gossip about me because of this? Do I need help? Will you talk to me? God still loves me. I should pray for help and ask others to pray for me.

This is me. Sometimes it’s you. Am I relieved that someone came home safely? Did I just revel in much needed peace and quiet? Would you rather tell me how awesome you are or would you like to hear what’s going on in my life? Do I just want to impress you and fit in? Do I need help? God still loves me. I should praise God.

In general, the world is selfish and unforgiving. People rarely look at or really see each other. Our natural inclination toward self-preservation often causes us to look inward instead of outward. We are called to love each other and the biblical definition of love is difficult. It’s not lazy … it’s active, it’s putting yourself “out there” and it can be scary.

Philippians 2 discusses love … actually seeing your neighbor as God sees them and placing the interests of others above our own. This concept is completely counter to our human nature. Love is action, not just three words. It’s actually “seeing” someone and taking a genuine interest in their soul. Love is the essence of faith. The perception of Christians (and our fellow human beings) will change when our love, as modeled by Christ, extends and overflows naturally and unconditionally beyond our fellow believers to each person you meet, no matter what’s on the outside.  

References:

Luke 15:3-7

So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’  In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Romans 8:35-39

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.