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Lessons from Traveling: Lesson One
By: Tom Norvell
Vol. 13 No. 35 | August 30, 2010
During the last five weeks I have traveled a bit more than the norm. There have been day trips for funerals, overnight trips for reunions, a week long vacation to the beach, a trip to Texas and points in between, and most recently a five-day, four-night trip to New York City. Every trip has in some way been family related. A funeral. A family reunion. A family vacation. Taking and getting my daughter settled at her university. Spending time with my son and daughter-in-law.
On many occasions during my travels I have been alone -- driving, flying, walking. I have found myself in the very familiar surroundings of my own home, the extremely comfortable surroundings of the town of my childhood, and in very unfamiliar territory of new places. This time alone has provided me with lots of time to think, reflect, ponder life, dream, and day dream. I would also like to think I have also gained some wisdom in the process. During the next few weeks and through these articles I want to share some of what I’ve learned from watching people, listening to conversations, participating in discussions, and being alone with my thoughts as my relationship with the Father, the Spirit, and the Word have served as a filter through which all things pass. [Just for the record I know many of you travel much more extensively than I do, and you could possibly add to my observations. I'd love to hear some of your observations.]
Lesson Number One: Life seems to go better when we develop the ability to stop judging by mere appearances.
Jesus spoke instructive words about this in John 7:23-25,
Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.
At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, ‘Isn't this the man they are trying to kill?’
External appearances can fool you. From the outside a restaurant may not look like much but once seated inside you may discover that the menu is varied and the food is delicious. The sign out front may say excellence and classiness. On the inside you may discover poor service, impolite workers and lousy food.
From the outside a person may appear to be “all together,” but when you get to know them you may discover that their life is a wreck. People may give the appearance of failure, but when you listen to them talk you may discover they possess the peace that passes understanding.
From the outside the church may appear to be in disrepair and outdated. Once on the inside you may feel the presence of God. From the outside a church my appear to have it all together. Once inside you may discover the coldness and impersonal atmosphere of sheer professionalism.
From external appearances a child be appear to be well adjusted, happy and content. When you get beneath the surface you may discover fear, insecurity, and low self-esteem.
As Jesus spoke He was sincerely pleading with those who were following Him and those who wanted to destroy Him to look deeper, to get below the surface, and to see what is behind the smile, or the tears, or make-up. When we hear Him and when we follow His lead we may discover that people are longing for someone to know them for who they really are. We may discover they have the same desire we posses to be known and loved and appreciated.
When we stop judging by mere appearances we will begin to see people as God sees them, respond to them like God responds to them, and love them like God loves them. When we do that. We can leave the rest to God.
Tom