As human beings, we make thousands of decisions throughout our day. Most decisions are made with very little thought, like a reflex out of our experience. We seldom need to think twice.
We can make these same kinds of decisions about people, as well. Like a familiar reflex, we can accept, reject, and sometimes not even see them. People can pass through our lives every day and we barely notice. When was the last time you spoke to a person who was outside of your family, circle of friends or workplace? Or you spent time with someone who was unlike you? When did you last interact with a homeless person? Or have a deep conversation with someone from the LGBTQ community? When did you last ask an immigrant about their country of origin?
Too often, we close our eyes to the strangers who cross our paths. We don’t even give them a second look. Why? They are different and it takes time and effort? I believe that the primary reason is fear. Because we are afraid of the unknown, the boundaries we have establish to protect ourselves prevent us from experiencing some of the most beautiful aspects of life… people.
Let me tell you story:
The overwhelming grief of the woman was too intense to keep her away. Her dear friend had been brutally murdered and she found herself running to his grave to mourn. When she arrived, she discovered, to her horror, that her friend’s body was gone.
The woman immediately called to alert her friends. When they arrived, her two friends entered the gravesite as she waited outside. They confirmed what she had believed to be true. He was no longer there. The woman’s friends expressed their condolences and quickly returned to their day, leaving her standing outside of the gravesite alone.
She stood outside of the gravesite for quite a while. Then, for some unknown reason, felt drawn to go back to the grave for a second look. Maybe, she was wrong. Maybe, they all were wrong. As she entered the darkness once again, she saw before her two people dressed in white sitting where the body was supposed to be resting.
“Where is he? If you have taken him away please tell me. ” She cried.
“He is not here.” They declared.
The woman left the grave even more grieved and sobbed as she walked along. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone who she believed to be the caretaker of the gravesite. Maybe he might have the answer.
“Why are you crying?” He asked. “Who is it you are looking for?”
Without even looking in his direction, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, please tell me where you have put him, and I will go get him.”
Suddenly, she was startled by the familiar voice as he called her by name, “Mary.” She spun around and before her stood her dear friend, Jesus. He was alive.
I love this story. Mary had the privilege of being one of the very first people to see Jesus after He rose from the dead. The two disciples saw him much later, but at that moment, they saw what they expected to see, an empty tomb. Mary hoped for more, she paused and took a second look into the darkness. She was looking for Jesus and she found Him.
When we allow ourselves to pause and take a second look, we too can see Jesus. He is in the people all around us but we must be willing to put aside our expectations, open our eyes… and take a second look.
This Easter season, take a second look. You may be surprised by what you see.
Happy Easter, my friends.
Carol Marchant Gibbs
Stories Changing Lives
