People-Watching, or People-Engaging?
By
Susan Klein
“…a
time to be silent and a time to speak…”
Ecclesiastes
3:7b (NIV)
Sitting in the airport with an hour and a half layover, I
decided to make the most of my time and do a little journaling. The sea of
people around me soon became a distraction. This was a prime place for
people-watching! One man in particular stole my immediate attention as he
disembarked the plane in his traditional Indian Dhoti looking quite like Gandhi
himself. I tried to imagine what his story was.
Pocketing my pen, I let my eyes roam. An elderly man in a
wheelchair, a rambunctious toddler trying to escape an exhausted mother, two
Asian students in a big hurry…the diversity was endless! Some looked excited to
be traveling, while others appeared anxious. The techno-savvy crowd plugged in
their electronic devices and popped in their earbuds to shut out the commotion.
Which passengers would endure long journeys and which would have just a short
hop? Who wanted to be flying and who dreaded it? Who would enjoy a smooth
flight and who would be re-routed or delayed? I could only guess as I observed.
Yet, two common threads became visible in this vast array: They all had
baggage, and they all had a final destination.
Re-opening my journal, it occurred to me that these were mere
observations. I had no idea where people were actually going or what was
running through their minds. I didn’t know whether they were wrestling with
struggles or resting in security. Were they carrying bags of pain or bags of
peace? Did they confidently know where their final destination in life would be?
I was convicted that as a “people-watcher,” I would never know the answers. It
would take actually engaging in conversation to find out what was really going
on behind those faces.
How comfortable it is to just sit and watch and wonder. Many actually
prefer it that way, averting their eyes when we look in their direction for possible
fear of having to converse. But is it what God desires of me? Am I created to
watch, or to engage? Some of those people are heading in the wrong direction
and their destination will not be what they expected. Do I just sit by and
watch, or will I take a risk and try to offer a word of hope or encouragement?
Buckling myself in my seat on the plane, I noticed a
nervous-looking young mom across the aisle from me. As she adjusted her baby
for take-off, I asked, “Is this your first time flying with him?” We enjoyed sweet
conversation until her baby drifted off to sleep.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
How uncomfortable are you with engaging strangers in conversation?
2. Consider exploring Bill Hybels’ book: Just Walk Across The Room. [1]
FURTHER READING:
[1]
For more information on this book, go to http://www.zondervan.com/just-walk-across-the-room-2
(the publisher’s website). It can also be purchased through many other websites
and is available to borrow at Oakwood Church’s library.
Susan is married to Mark,
and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and
tutoring with the Literacy Council.
