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.