The Quality of Noticing & Doing
By Lexi Cole Ellis
By Lexi Cole Ellis
Recently,
I’ve found a lot of peace, and felt a stronger connection to God, by taking the
time to slow down, focus on prayer and meditate on His Word. As I’ve learned to slow down, I’ve used guided
meditating sessions that are aligned with my faith, and they have been
extremely helpful. One session looked at “…increasing focus and removing
distractions by strengthening the quality of noticing.” The practice looked at
noticing blessings, noticing gifts of loved ones, and inserting moments of
gratitude to the Lord - - however small - - into pockets of the day.
As
I was reflecting on improving my “quality of noticing,” I realized that Jesus
is the most excellent example of strong, intentional noticing. He was a master
of noticing the disenfranchised, marginalized and rejected from society. Think
of the blind, the lame, the sick, the outcasts, the women, the tax collectors
that He noticed while the rest of society had been blind to their worth.
One
example is Luke 8:43-48 where a sick woman,
outcast from society “…touched the fringe of His garment… And when the woman
saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before
him declared in the presence of all the people…how she had been immediately
healed.” Jesus noticed while others
were convinced it doesn’t matter. [1]
Jesus
wasn’t just an apt “notice-er” but also an active “do-er” when He noticed those who were
not treated with the full dignity of being Image-Bearers of God. He did
something about it. He healed; He restored; He acted. And the amazing thing
is, when we believe in Him, we are given His Spirit and a command to be active
notice-ers and active do-ers.
In light of all of
this, it makes me wonder: Do I need to strengthen my quality of noticing
others… and then do something about it?
Not just thinking or
having good intentions, but legitimately and actively praying for others and
noticing when I can be the tangible hands and feet of Christ. We’ve been given
beautiful examples where Jesus countlessly noticed others and then lovingly,
actively did something about it. And we, the Church, are called to do the same.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Take time to reflect…how strong is your quality of noticing and
doing?
2. What is something small you can do today to be a blessing to someone else in need?
2. What is something small you can do today to be a blessing to someone else in need?
Lexi and her husband, Andrew have
an adorable dog named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and
serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
[1] Luke 4:47, ESV, emphasis mine
