Who We "See"

I was recently at Home Depot to buy paint for our house. While we were standing in line for our paint, another customer approached the paint counter with a Home Depot sales associate right behind him, trying to keep pace. This customer was noticeably irritated by the sales person, and was evidently coming to the paint counter for "outside assistance." It became evident that this man, and the man who was trying to help him were having some communication struggles. The sales person was of Asian descent and his English was not the best as he spoke. However, the man who was shopping (and irritated) acted as if he didn't even see the salesmen. He dismissed what he said, got the answer he needed, and quickly walked past him to get back to what he needed. Now let me say, that I understand that sometimes communication can be difficult when someone's English isn't that strong. It can be frustrating when you feel like you keep "missing" each other in communication. However, the thing that really made me upset as I observed this interaction was how the salesperson became seemingly invisible to the customer. He chose to not see him and to not acknowledge his efforts to help him. The sales associate became worthless to him once he no longer saw him.

That same weekend, a man came to our Saturday service and breakfast with a large "Jesus" tattoo in the middle of his forehead. This man and his tattoo got my attention, and so I made it a point to get to know him and hear his story. I learned that he was staying at the rescue mission here in Richmond, but that he was originally from Seattle. Without going into great detail, he was recently divorced, relocated, and out of work. I began to ask him about life at the mission (homeless shelter). He stated that he greatly appreciated both having a place to stay, and a consistent meal. However, he said he was greatly disappointed and disturbed by the way the staff treated the men who came there. He shared that many of the staff "talked down at them." He further added that they seemed to lump everyone into the same category - drug addict, lazy, mentally challenged, etc. - rather then seeing the uniqueness of each person and each person's story. In other words, the issue with the staff at the mission is that they don't "see" the individual residents. It is because they don't truly see them that they feel compelled to talk down at them.

Whether or not we "see" people is critical. How we view someone, greatly affects how we treat them. When we lump people together (stereotype), seek to avoid certain people, or look down on people, we won't truly see them, and we will be unable to converse or connect with them in any type of meaningful way.

My good friend Aaron often says, "we cannot minister to someone who we think less of." Therefore, lack of sight and condescension go hand in hand. I love reading the Gospels and observing the way Jesus interacted with people. He interacted with all types of people. No one was above or below his compassionate reach. He saw people: tax collectors, women, Samaritans, lepers, politicians, etc. His sight always stirred compassion rather than condescension. Matthew 9:36 (and others) states, "When He saw the crowds, he had compassion for them..."

It was this "compassionate sight" that led him to the cross. Romans 5 says that "while we were still weak (helpless)" and "while we were still sinners" Christ died for us. That's the beauty of the Cross, and the beauty of the Gospel. It is the Gospel that then transforms how we "see" others and compels us to love everyone. Peter lost sight of this new "Gospel vision" in Galatians 2, and his brother Paul had to lovingly get in his face to remind him of his new eyes.

While we're at work, at school, in our neighborhoods, out shopping, etc. let's be mindful of the people who cross our path each day. May we be a people who "see" everyone with our Gospel eyes. Amen.