Not long ago, a new couple moved into an apartment across the hall from us. We welcomed them, and after that, would have casual conversation with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The wife was always in a wheelchair. I never asked why. But one day, no questions asked, I was prompted to pray for her. They welcomed the prayer, and since then, we have been great \u201cHello and Good-Bye\u201d kinds-of-friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, at last Thursday night\u2019s mix and mingle, while enjoying a delicious meal, I glanced behind me and saw our \u201cacross the hall\u201d neighbors sitting by themselves. Immediately I sensed I should go visit with them. I saw. I sensed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That action on my part literally gave me a window into their souls. My husband joined us a few minutes later and his \u201cwindow\u201d was opened, too. We will be more than \u201chello and goodbye\u201d kinds of friends from now on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today is Palm Sunday. This is the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (not a thoroughbred horse of majestic proportions). He knew already what was in store for Him over the next week. He knew He had been called to suffer and die \u2013 taking our weaknesses, sicknesses, and mistakes to the cross with Him. AND BONUS for us — Jesus accepted His Father\u2019s plans to go the distance for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I started this blog with our miniscule attempts to get to know others from a distance far too long. The old song comes to mind \u2013 \u201cTo be like Jesus; to be like Jesus. All I want is to be like Him. All through life\u2019s journeys, from earth to glory. All I want is to be like Him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Mark 6:34, we read: \u201cWhen Jesus saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.\u201d How do we know if we\u2019re looking at life from God\u2019s viewpoint? By the way we see other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a great test of our spiritual maturity \u2013 even better than asking how much of the Bible we know, how often we go to church, or whether we serve, tithe, or pray. Life is all about love and relationships. That\u2019s what Jesus demonstrated. He saw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine what He was thinking when He saw and heard the crowds shouting, \u201cHosanna in the Highest!\u201d Do we think He might have had just a little pride in being so lauded and praised? Or was His heart so full of compassion that He knew those people would be the same ones who would mock Him and cry out \u201cCrucify Him!\u201d just a few days later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palm Sunday offers us the opportunity to be authentic with our worship and praise to He Who would be crucified for us next Friday. Doesn\u2019t it conjure up every fiber of our beings to be those people who SEE as He saw; to forgive as He forgave; to love as He loved?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m thinking that if we wish to gauge our spiritual maturity, it\u2019s time we think about how we SEE others. All people matter to God. It doesn\u2019t matter who they are, what they\u2019ve done, or even what they believe. Christ died for them. Jesus loves them. God has a plan for everyone, and He wants them to have a relationship with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the way Jesus sees people. That\u2019s the way we can grow to see people too. We can learn to have compassion for others. \u201cI see you,\u201d Jesus says. The next time you struggle with feeling unseen, revel in the joy of being truly known AND seen!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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