One way it works is between God and us. Many Psalms describe the impact of experiencing how God sees us. Hagar experiences God as “The God who sees me” in Genesis 16:13. A God who saw her alone and in desperate need. David eloquently describes God’s seeing in Psalm 139. Here, David tells of how God saw him before his body was even formed. God’s seeing isn’t limited to significant figures in the Bible either. God attends to the cry of the poor, as Psalm 12:5 makes explicit. “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the LORD. I will protect them from those who malign them.” God sees each and every one of us!
It also goes the other way, from us to God. Many spiritual formation guides have testified to the importance of noticing the presence of God. Brother Lawrence writes about it in the classic Practicing the Presence of God. It is also covered in Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster. In his book, Richard referenced Frank Laubach and his “Game of Minutes.” This was where Frank tracked how much of a given hour or even a percentage of a whole day where he was mindful of God’s presence. Taking time to notice the presence of God was an important step on his spiritual journey. In other words, for God and for us, a deeper connection starts with noticing. This principle is not just applicable in our spiritual realm.
Noticing also applies to our generosity. If we are not being like God and noticing the plight of the poor locally, nationally, and globally, then we are missing out on sharing some of God’s perspective. He is deeply attuned to and caring about poor people. Therefore, we should be too! Should this concern take over your life? Maybe, if God leads you that way. However, being more deliberate about noticing the individual panhandling is a first step. Or stopping and thinking what it must be like to have a relative die of fentanyl. Or to flee your home because of fear of violence. Or to lose your job or place to live. Noticing or even seeking out the troubles of others should have a place in our lives, which includes our schedules.
This brings us to the second part of our blog, availability. I recently heard this quote for the first time, attributed to Bill Parcells or Brian Dawkins, “The Best Ability is Availability.” This quote is a play on words. Availability includes the word ‘ability’ within it but is not typically thought of as an ability in and of itself. However, it speaks to the idea that being the most capable person in the world does not matter if you are not available. I think about how Elijah started to mock the followers of Baal when they were trying to get Baal to deliver fire on the altar. Elijah says in 1 Kings 18:27 – “Shout louder! He said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy [as in using the bathroom], or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” In other words, Elijah was taunting their god’s lack of availability.
Of course it doesn’t end there. Books like When Helping Hurts help us to recognize that our impact matters, not just our intent. But this blog isn’t about where it ends. It is about encouraging us to take the first steps. Try to start noticing others and being available to their challenges. Maybe that looks like playing a “Game of Minutes” about noticing other people once a week or once a month. Of course, it probably won’t change much initially, and you don’t need to beat yourself up if you aren’t spending much time thinking about others. Thankfully, it isn’t a contest! It is a journey of love. We need God’s grace and assistance to get there, but let’s begin or continue the journey together!
Sources:
- https://www.touchinglives.org/devotionals/the-god-who-sees-me#:~:text=I%20have%20now%20seen%20the,every%20detail%20of%20our%20circumstances.
- Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J Foster (Revised and Updated 2005)
- God Space by Doug Pollock
- Photos by Unsplash – unsplash.com
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