Do You See What I See?

The movement of people this season has a familiar rhythm. Parking lots are filled with shoppers. Stores have long lines once again. People are talking to one another in public spaces. There are smiles where there were once masks. This must be why they refer to it as the most wonderful time of the year.

While enjoying each day that comes along, take the time to see what is around you. It is easy for our eyes to catch a glimpse of the things that we want, hope for, or desire. Have you noticed the person around you that has a need? It is not always that easy to do but if you take a breath and look, you will be able to see that there are needs to be met all around us. What if you are the person that is supposed to be the one to help the situations that you see.

Seeing things triggers something on the inside I like to think of as a burning desire. The burning desire that is within us longs to make a difference to those around us. There are people who are standing in need of the necessities of life like food, shelter and clothing but the ability to satisfy these needs may have only fallen to a few, like those of you who read these columns. It is a gift and a challenge to be able to comprehend what are the needs of the people we come in contact with. Some see better than others, but this is not about who saw it first. If you can see a need then there is something about you that desires to see that need met.

The ability to meet needs begin with the ability to care about the situation you see. There may be times when you may need help to know that you are not the only one who sees what is happening around you. The prophet Elisha asked the Lord to open one of his servants’ eyes so that he could see that their situation was not dire nor desperate but just right for gaining victory. You are not alone when it comes to caring about the people in your community. Do not let how difficult the need is that you see keep you from believing that it cannot be met.

When you open your heart to care about right where you live, change can happen. It is those who have lost the most hope, who often seem to make the most noise and appear to be in greater number but it is not so. You can see what needs have to be met. You can hear the cry of a child in need of food. You can be the mentor that a young adult never had. You can be the instrument that makes the melody of someone else’s life become a song of celebration. We have each been given the ability to make a difference. Just like a baby boy born in Bethlehem a long time ago, we can be a difference maker in this generation so that future generations can succeed.

HHJ News