The Look

If you travel much, you start noticing people.

I’m a talker. I love a good conversation, and I can talk to almost anybody. Airports are actually pretty good places for that because everybody is going somewhere, and usually there is a story behind where they are going.

But some people have the look.

You know exactly what I mean. Eyes straight ahead. Earbuds in. Phone out. Very little eye contact. They are doing everything possible to let the rest of us know they have absolutely no interest in meeting anybody new today.

And honestly, I get it. I’m sure there are plenty of times I have the look too. Sometimes you are tired. Sometimes you have talked enough. Sometimes you just want to get on the plane and go home.

But I started thinking about how often I probably have the look when I’m not traveling.

There are times I see somebody who could use some help, but I’m busy. Or I notice somebody who seems to be having a rough day, but I’ve got somewhere to be. I know that if I stop and ask how they are doing, they might actually tell me.

And then I might have to do something.

So I keep moving.

That bothered me a little when I thought about it.

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, and one thing I sometimes forget is that the people who passed the injured man before the Samaritan weren’t unaware of him. They saw him. They just didn’t stop.

I wonder how many things I see every day that I don’t really stop long enough to see.

Most of the time, helping somebody probably isn’t going to require anything heroic. It may just mean being willing to have my day interrupted for a few minutes.

Maybe putting the phone down. Making eye contact. Asking the question.

And being willing to stick around long enough to hear the answer.

First Light
www.firstlightblog.org

A daily reflection on faith, leadership, and life. One honest thought each morning to help you start grounded, focused, and full of grace before the world even wakes up.

By Nathan Clark

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