Lancer Diaries: See People (By: Tessa Johnstone)

I have spent the last dozen or so minutes attempting to write something light hearted and witty that might make you chuckle or at least keep you from saying “tessa’s blogs are so boring.” But I am no actress – if my heart is heavy, my post must be heavy also. You have been warned.

When you are in the presence of another human being, what do you see?... a body?... a blur?... just another element of your surroundings?

I just want to say - it is important to see people. Not just acknowledge them with your eyes – but with your heart. Ok, that sounded cheesy. Come on, tessa - think... How can you communicate this?...

hmmm... let’s try this…

The way you see a person is dependent on how you define them.

If you define a person as a body and a personality – you will see them as a thing with characteristics to be appreciated or detested. You will judge their minds and appearance and ultimately you will see them in the light of what they can do or be for you.

If you define a person as a soul – you will see them as a thing with value. Value is derived from the soul because the soul is lasting. The devil is fighting for the soul of every person you see. When you realize that those people you used to "check out" or ignore are actually “hanging by a thin string over the pit of hell” (as my friend John Sachs so delicately puts it), it will change everything about the way you see people.

WARNING: having your eyes unveiled to this reality means taking on a huge burden for the lost. It means being obedient in sharing Christ. The silence which once brought you so much comfort will become a great source of discomfort. (And if it doesn’t effect you – you really don’t get it.)

No one should be invisible to a person who is called to love like Christ. So, think about who is invisible to you and let them be invisible no longer.

Yesterday a 15 year old boy from my home church was skateboarding and got hit by a car and died. I don't know... I just wish I would have had the sense to see him, that's all.