I am sharing a guest entry by Ashley Seibel, a new member of the Lift Team. I am thankful for her insight and wisdom!
“I
see you” - from the movie
Avatar
In
the movie Avatar the locals who are big and blue have a deep
spiritual life and upon meeting one another sometimes say “I see
you.” It means more than simply seeing someone. When children play
hide and seek around the house or yard, they find their friend and
say “I see you” or “I found you.” Parents playing peek a boo
with babies say “I see you” when they uncover their eyes and make
a face at the child.
To
see something can mean you physically see it and that you understand
a concept or some information. When getting an explanation about how
the pistons in the car work, you might say “I see.” You get it.
You understand the idea and image the other person is conveying to
you. I've also heard people say “I'm not seeing it,” when someone
is sharing a vision or grand plan. The hearer or observer can't
visualize what the other is talking about. There's a disconnect there
that isn't being bridged. However, in Avatar, when they say
they see one another it seems to mean they do indeed see the other
physically, yet more importantly also on a spiritual level. They see
who the other is in their soul. What they care about. The things that
are deep in the heart and not only on the surface. The things that
make someone tick, their passions, gifts, and talents. It's much more
than simply seeing a face or an idea.
I
think this is how God sees us. He sees our hearts and knows all of
our thoughts. 1 Samuel 16:7b says “The
Lord
does
not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward
appearance, but the Lord
looks
at the heart” (NIV). Like the
movie quote, God knows where the important stuff is. It's not on the
surface, but deeper. Scripture also says in Proverbs 4:23 “Above
all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”
(NIV). Who we are is rooted in our heart and soul.
What
application does this have for us as mentors, friends, and Christians
who are commissioned to love others? Christ, who we are on a journey
to become more like, looks at hearts. Even when someone sins greatly
or turns away from Christ all together, He sees their hearts and
knows their every longing and hurt. He cares about them and each of
their dreams as He does yours and mine. To grow to be more
Christlike, we as followers and disciples can focus less on outer
appearances and more on the heart. Try not to form quick impressions
and judgments, and look carefully to really see a person and what's
going on in their lives. What they care about and hope for. We live
in a society that is fast and efficient. Fast and efficient don't
serve us well in getting to know someone and discovering who they are
and how we can come along side them. Seeing someone’s heart and
walking with them is a process and will take some time and effort on
our parts.
Even
though effort is required and many of us are low on time and effort,
the practice of looking deeper is essential and also gives us a fresh
glimpse of how God sees you and me: with grace and forgiveness and
hope.
Ideas on
how to do see below the surface:
- Say a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see and ears to hear before talking to someone.
- Be unattached to outcome and simply listen. Suspend your impressions, judgments, and need to fix and intervene. Many people don't necessarily want you to fix them, but to hear them. Being heard and listened to is a great gift you can give.
