Looking People In The Eye

So I tried a social experiment today.  I deliberately looked strangers in the eye.  I smiled as I did it and attempted to look as welcoming as possible.

Only 1 in 20 people would look me in the eye and smile.
Most people never looked at me.
Some people did glance at me and then would avert their eyes to the ground.

Matthew 6:22   “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

This Scripture isn't talking about 20/20 vision.  It's talking about what you put into your soul and spirit.  Put Godly, "good stuff" in, and you will get Godly, "good stuff" out.  

The eyes are often a telltale sign of what is going on in one's heart.  You can see pain, joy, despair, hope or hopelessness in someone's eyes.  Often times people will not look at your fearing you will see what is in their heart.  

But more importantly, and I am guilty of this, are we avoiding people, fearing what we might see if we bothered to look.  Because we are so busy, overwhelmed and tired we avoid contact with others.  Sure we will ask, "How are you doing?" but we expect them to say, "fine."  No one gets involved. 

Jesus wanted us to see people, not politely ignore them.  He wanted us to care about others and serve them as best as we can.  Here are a few thoughts to ponder. 

How can we serve others, in Jesus name, if we don't know what their need is? 

How can we be used in the Gifts of the Spirit, if we never come into contact with the people who need our gifts?

How can we love others if we will not allow ourselves to be loved?  

Oh, that last one.  If you cannot look someone in the eye and minister to them, then chances are, you cannot look someone in the eye and let them minister to you. 

PRAY:  Dear Jesus, let me look someone in the eye today and allow them to see my hope and love in You.  AMEN