Ever miss something…in that you just didn’t notice something? Years ago, I had to catch a shuttle bus in Denver from the rental car agency to the airport. Across from me sat a man who was engulfed in the sports section of the newspaper…raised up almost hiding his face, reading every line of it! As he turned the page, I noticed the headline piece was about the Colorado Avalanche (Hockey) and how they had just won a big game! It was a two-pager article, and he was into every word of it…Coloradans love their sports!
I glanced over next to him and caught the eye of the guy sitting next to him. He looked at me and smiled and I realized when he did, it was Joe Sakic. I smiled back with that, “I know who you are” smile, but did not say a word. Joe Sakic was the Captain for the Avalanche. He was the MVP of the playoffs in 1996 when they won the Stanley Cup and was the MVP of the entire NHL league in 2001 as they won the Stanley Cup again.
The irony…the man next to him was reading everything about him but missed seeing him, missed even noticing him, missed engaging in a conversation or a relationship with him! He totally missed out on something that could have been a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity!
Jesus loved sinners. He loved those who were far from God. He saw them and he made time to be with them. Pastor George shared that, Isolation and distance will cause you to miss the mission of God and the heart of Jesus! Are you missing “seeing” someone who literally could be right next you? Could you be so caught up in your normal, comfortable, everyday routines, that you don’t notice or worse, aren’t willing to befriend the “stranger” across the table, the aisle, or the hallway! Would you consider the way of Jesus today…the heart of Jesus, who intentionally engaged with people who were far from God, to bring the love of the Father to them! Put down the newspaper, the book, the pencil, the laptop, and take a step towards someone to begin a friendship that could result in a friend for eternity! Be a little more like Jesus today, I am sure there is a “Joe” somewhere in your life that will be glad you did!