::seeing beyond clearly and compassionately::

Look to your left. Look to your right. Look at the people right next to you. Look at those farthest from you. Look at your friends who you care about deeply. Look at your family who you love even though they drive you crazy. Look beyond, look deeper. See them. See imago dei in them. See them for who they really are. What do you see?

Do you see the burdens they are carrying? Do you see the questions that torment them every day? Do you see the shame and guilt of the past? Do you see the image of God handcrafted in them? Do you see them the way God does? Do you see how they are ridiculed, shamed, looked down upon because of their appearance, lifestyle, decisions, or dreams? Do you see how the blood of Christ has covered them too, making them clean and forgiven? Do you see any of this? Or are you fooled like everyone else by the veneer of nice clothes, well done makeup, confident attitudes, and the air of a person who's "got it all together"? I know I am. I am both the one who is hurting and burdened as well as the person who is blind to the same thing in others. It is far too easy to be in tune to my struggles and desires while being oblivious to those of the people around me even those I care about the most.

As I carry my own pain and burdens every day, I am often forgetful of those around me and what they are going through. I am curved inward to my self, my problems, my hurt. If this is what I am dealing with and you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell just from looking at me or having a conversation with me, how is that not applicable to everyone else? Who else is carrying difficult burdens? Who else is hurting deep within themselves? Is this you? What are you worrying about? What are the secrets you hold that no one else knows? What are the things you're afraid to tell people because they'll never look at you the same way again? Who else besides you and me? More than I realize. More than I'll ever know. So what can I do? I can ask thoughtful questions. I can initiate conversations. I can be vulnerable and honest about my own struggles. I can show I don't have it all together and that more often than not, I'm actually the opposite. I can take off the mask of being okay. I can listen intentionally and be present. I can stand in solidarity with you and let you know you are not alone in your journey. I can be faithful in what God has called me to do. I can love in imitation of how Christ loves us.

It's the season of Christmas. A season of joy, hope, and peace; a season of gifts, food, laughter, and fun. Sadness, anger, confusion, questions, frustration, and pain aren't usually associated with Christmas. Yet, all of these are part of Christmas too. I would dare to guess that all of you are carrying a mixture of both difficult and positive emotions within you right now. I want to say that is normal. Don't feel like you have to conjure up happiness because it is expected as part of this season. Don't feel like you have to hide the tears, questions, and anger because "it's Christmas". Acting like everything is okay is something we all do far too often particularly around the holidays and it's intensely unhealthy. Take it from someone who knows. Take it from a girl who has stuffed away her emotions, pushed away conflict, and pretended to be fine an infinite number of times. That's not what Christmas is about. Christmas is a special time, I'm not downplaying that. But the celebration of Christmas and what it is about is not tied down to a day, a month, or a time of year. So set aside time for Advent and Christmas but don't put the rest of your life on hold because of the holiday. Jesus was born in the middle of the mess and routines of first century Bethlehem. Life didn't stop for Him. Likewise, we are to keep doing what we are doing in the midst of celebrating Jesus' birth.

Because ultimately, Christmas is not about presents, trees, food, or even family being together. These are all good and precious things but in the end, Christmas is ALL about the first coming of Jesus Christ. It is a time for awe and wonder at the mystery of the incarnation. Fully God. Fully Man. Together in one Person. Reread that statement again. It is completely mind-blowing. Why can't I just concentrate on that beautiful mystery and forget about everything else? Because that isn't what I was meant to do. Christmas is not a time to check my baggage at the door but rather to bring it to the manger and worship Him because of all that I am bringing. I worship Him because He is greater than my problems. I worship Him because He alone is the one in whom I can rest and find peace. I worship Him because He came as a baby knowing He would die for me. I worship Him because of who He is not because of who I am.

So if your heart hurts for those who are hurting and you desire to see beyond with clarity and compassion, I would encourage you to listen to this song: "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath. It is one that has resounded within me over the years and encapsulates the heart of this post. So give it a listen and let it sink deep into yourself and what it would mean for you to have His eyes in your daily life because being aware and seeing is just the first step.