Seeing the Seen and Unseen

If we are to love others as Jesus loved, then we need to see others as Jesus saw. He delivered the same lifesaving message to rich and poor, male and female, young and old. He interacted with people of different backgrounds and ethnicities. He saw everyone as lost, without redemption, apart from him.

We’re still these same people, in need of this same Savior. Hebrews 13:8 states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” I’m glad he continues to see and love us, as sometimes the actions of people breed perceptions that seeing the seen and unseen is illusionary.

As Christians, we’re compelled to love others. These words are repeated often and in different ways. We cannot succeed without help from the Holy Spirit. He shows us how to touch hearts and souls. Every decision, every choice, and every action demonstrates love for all people and helps them feel seen and valued, or not.

As we age biologically, Christ transforms us and we age in reverse. The spiritually mature become as children. We also recognize the old might not be wise and by contrast, the young might be mature. Appearance, demographics, and assumptions are best left outside the doors of the church so all can be served, seen, and loved. Once inside the doors of grace, worship services represent time and place for everyone to glorify and honor our God.

For Christmas, my father gave me a clock, inscribed with the words: “My little girl yesterday. My friend today. My daughter forever.”

He still sees me as his own, even though I’ve grown into new roles, experienced different adventures, and endured many mistakes. Through it all, my father never stopped loving me. He offered support, advice, and listening ears. We’ve laughed and cried, and I know he will never hurt me or do anything to create suffering.

Isn’t that what everyone wants? To be loved and seen, regardless of how we change or age? To matter? To experience worship among people who live by mottos as physicians to “do no harm.” In Christian language, the message of Romans 14:13 comes to mind: “Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.”

The church harms and creates suffering when it establishes practices designed for a few, instead of the many.

We would do well to see people through the eyes of Jesus and love them as he loved us. To see everyone through his lens, we see all as equal and broken, bearing wounds no one sees and enduring physical ailments no one understands.  Love makes decisions for the entire body, instead of a fraction, because consideration of all demonstrates love for all.

The church is a location and a membership representing wisdom and insight to understand frail, weak, and sinful souls. The body, when working in unity, points to the foundation of Christ so community is built up, instead of torn down. Bringing together all the people to fulfil God’s plan, not man’s desires.

Wisdom considers the needs of all seekers, who come to find Christ or grow in knowledge and heart. Wisdom develops inclusive practices rather than exclusive preferences. Wisdom discerns that helping some, hurts others.

It takes time for Christians to change from spiritual young boys and girls into mature and faithful followers of Christ. Love’s transformation causes the old to become young and occurs at every possible age. The process of coming apart and mending together occurs as humbleness battles pride and independence surrenders to obedience. The personified church fights these same battles as it strives to reflect the love of Christ.

Through the building up and tearing down, at the beginning and at the end, we’re the same. We’re still the sons and daughters of the King of Kings, with different hearts and changing needs as we spiritually mature. As we race through life, we return to Christian community and the church for equipping selves and others.

Often, the church and its people are singularly focused on meeting the needs of the vulnerable, which are defined as the poor. Sometimes the definition includes those who have gone astray. Or perhaps vulnerable populations are categorized as the unsaved. Or the young. Or any category the church chooses.

Yet who are the vulnerable? I contend it’s everyone, including the faithful. Satan attacks all of God’s people, all the time.

Everyone lives in various states of vulnerability. Do we see the mature, but not the spiritually immature? Do we see the poor, but not the poor in spirit? Unseen vulnerability, pain, and suffering exists in every church and can be seen through the lens of Christ looking into the eyes of his people. All of his people.

The church is calm, not chaos. We don’t know who is soul dry and needs redemptive grace. We don’t know who is hollowed and needs repetitive mercy. We don’t know anything apart from the Holy Spirit. Are we seeing the seen and unseen?

The world wears us down, and we need the church to lift us up. Even hearts living with the joy of Christ cry. Yet even at these times, we’re reminded that bottles in heaven hold our tears, and we remember who lifts us up when people fall.

Christ told us in Matthew 18:3 that unless we become like little children, we’ll never enter the kingdom of heaven. So, we find the strength of innocents, bandage scrapes, and limp back into life.

In the end, as in the beginning, we have the same calling. In all places, see and love. In all ways, honor God and praise His name. Regardless of actions others take. Regardless of decisions others don’t make.

It’s enough to know we’re all the same in the eyes of our heavenly Father. Little boys and girls and sons and daughters forever.