Every day we encounter people; the cashier at the grocery store, the church body on Sunday morning, and of course the numerous people on Ouachita’s campus. Often I find myself viewing these people through my own eyes seeing them as ordinary, average, and normal. But if I put on my supernatural glasses, I will begin to see them differently. I will begin to see them through the eyes of the Lord who sees them as magnificent and holy creatures, extraordinary in every sense of the term. In C.S. Lewis’ sermon The Weight of Glory, he says that there are no ordinary people. In fact, Lewis says, “Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” (Lewis, pp.9)
Lewis’s perspective is changing how I view others. It is causing me to be more aware of their beautiful differences – their different personalities, talents, and skin color. It is causing me to respect others more and to appreciate varying ethnicities and cultures. It is causing me to realize that our differences and our diversity are a beautiful thing. As the children’s song emphasizes “red, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in his sight (Woolston).” The Lord does indeed believe that each and every human being is special and extraordinary.
A story in the bible, Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well, is a perfect example of what the bible says about respecting others. Jesus identified himself with this woman who was part of a mixed race called Samaritans. It was a people group that the Jews hated. In fact, during the New Testament era, a Jewish man would lose respect for conversing with a Samaritan woman, but Jesus conversed with her anyway. Jews were not even supposed to be around Samaritans, but Jesus intentionally saw her, and he intentionally loved her despite the fact that she was living in sin. Jesus saw her through God’s eyes, as a special, extraordinary, and precious person.
As Christians on Ouachita’s campus, we have a great opportunity. If we will look around we will see many different people – different nationalities, different ethnicities, and different cultures. And like Christ, we have the opportunity to see and celebrate our differences and become one body. The Lord said, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). May we all start seeing each other through God’s eyes. May we start respecting each other’s differences, and may we celebrate our extraordinary specialness as the people of God. In short, let’s respect each other.
So, as I wrap up this essay, I’m reaching for my spiritual glasses, more specifically my spiritual sunglasses. Why? I’m about to take a stroll across our beautiful campus. I’m about to encounter some glorious people – people created by God and for god. I am about to see someone who is extraordinary, magnificent, special, different, and holy. Want to join me?
