Eyes to see!
Have you ever had those moments where you were with someone special and you felt like you saw them, you noticed them for the very first time. It was like all other glances before that long look just revealed the superficial, but when you really stopped and looked intently you really saw them for who they were. I have had those moments with people i loved where i felt like i really saw them for the very first time. And, what did it take? It took me just slowing down and looking at them...really looking intently at their face, their eyes, their nose, their gestures...and with that intent look, seeing things i never saw before.
That is the kind of thing that's happening here in Acts 14, but on a spiritual level. The Apostle Paul is speaking the Word of God in Lystra when he observes a cripple man who is listening to his message. But, not only did Paul observe a man listening (as many others were, no doubt)...but, Paul observed that this cripple man had faith to be healed! I love the mystery of this. After all, how do you tell that someone has faith to be healed? Was the cripple man raising his hand? Was he jumping up and down? Oh wait, he was cripple :)
No, i would imagine that it was more subtle...the way in which he was eagerly listening...the look of anticipation on his face...the glimmer of hope in his eyes...and, because Paul was looking, he noticed what others would have missed! No doubt it's the same for us today! If we would take the time to "observe people intently", as Paul did here, we would see and learn a lot more about people than a quick glance about a busy day will afford! And, that's my "take away" this morning. It's how Paul observed and saw this man in need. Paul observed him intently, and he saw something that many others may have missed that day...he saw faith! And, because he saw faith in this cripple man, Paul stepped out in faith and called this man out! Actually, Paul called this man UP..."Get up on your feet", he said to the cripple man in a loud voice! And, the man leaped and walked! What an amazing miracle of God we see here...but, it all started with a follower of Jesus taking the time to observe people! And, not just observing...but, observing intently and truly seeing.
What might i see in people today if i would take the time to observe intently and really see them. Maybe i would see needs that i never saw before. Maybe i would see gifts and talents that i never saw before. Maybe i would see faith to be healed, or faith to trust Jesus! No doubt there are ways in which God is working in the lives of others around me that God would reveal to us if we would just take the time to look! So Father, give me eyes to see the real condition of people today. Starting with my family and friends and then those whose path i cross on the way. Help me to see what lies beneath the surface...faith or despair...and, help me to call people UP towards You! But, it all starts with seeing...so, help me to make the time to notice.
Created over 2 years ago
