A Little Look Goes a Long Way

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13a NIV).

A friend of mine and I were discussing how we feel hurt and overlooked when others don’t look us in the eyes. The topic of conversation caused Jill to recount a story from her trip to a large city. She recalled walking along a busy street and noticing a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. Listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, Jill intentionally looked the man in the eyes as she passed him.

Locking eyes with her, the man questioned in disbelief, “Do you see me?”

“Yes, I see you,” she responded.

“No one ever sees me,” he replied.

Doesn’t his statement hurt your heart? How long had it been since someone had looked his way? It’s challenging to think about how merely making eye contact made an impact and helped this man feel valued and loved. What a simple gesture, yet how often do we turn our eyes away instead?

In the book of Acts, Peter and John were heading to the temple courts when they saw someone who was always overlooked. A lame man was being carried to the temple courts, where he was taken every day to beg. When he saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. They didn’t ignore him or give a sideways glance and walk by. Instead, Peter and John looked straight at the man and said, “Look at us.” The lame man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Peter told the man, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). Immediately the man was transformed from lame and hopeless to jumping and praising God. When the townspeople saw the beggar now healed, they too were filled with wonder and amazement.

Before this interaction, Peter had already learned the value of a look. He was taught this lesson when he and the other disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee and got caught in a storm. In the midst of the wind and waves, they saw Jesus walking on the water, and Peter asked if he could join him. At Jesus’ invitation, Peter stepped out of the boat and, miraculously, walked on water—until he took his eyes off Jesus, at which point he started to sink. Luckily, Jesus never took his eyes off him because he reached out, grabbed Peter’s arm, and helped him back into the boat (Matthew 14:22-32).

Friend, we also need to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, and we can take great comfort in knowing his eyes are fixed on us too. Scripture tells us the eyes of the Lord are everywhere (Proverbs 15:3 a), and that he looks down from heaven and sees all of mankind (Psalm 33:13a). Nothing in all creation is hidden from his sight (Hebrews 4:13 a) because he is El Roi, the God who sees us (Genesis 16:13). But, what I love more than knowing he sees us, is knowing he cares about us and meets the needs he sees. Since we are seen and loved in this way, this is the way we should see and love the people in our lives—our family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers alike. Let us not underestimate the value of something as “insignificant” as a look.