Journey of the Word

The great tragedy of our day is the seeming inability humanity has to slow down and love people.

We fill every last little space of our lives till it hurts to break out of the routine and take notice of those around us. We go to work, school, the grocery store, the gym, and we see a good dozen people or more, and we ask the obligatory, “How are you?” – and it stops there.

We’re so busy with life that we don’t have time for people.

Maybe it’s even “holy” stuff that’s getting in the way. Church stuff. Bible stuff.

Stuff that’s good for us.

Perhaps we never realize the problem because we’re too preoccupied with “making a difference.” We think that’s what we do all day long as we write, teach, sell, create, or whatever other supposedly impactful occupation.

But we miss our greatest opportunities in the lives of those who walk through our house every day, greet us at work, sit next to us at church or school, or pass us in the market.

What if we took the time to know their names, families, hometown, background, hobbies, interests, favorites, and beliefs? What if we showed a deep interest in the lives of these everyday people and truly cared for their souls?

Oh, but that means interruptions. That means my day doesn’t go as planned. That means I have to build space into my routine and take my eyes off my own life now and then.

For others. For their joy. That they may live.

[image credit: unsplash.com]