Getting Noticed

We all want to be noticed knowingly or unknowingly
We want someone to notice us. Please look at me, don’t you see me, I am not beautiful and desirable? Will he or she notice me? What do I need to do to get their attention? Many people spend money that they don’t have to impress those they don’t even know.

We do so much to get noticed don’t we? What political sound bite will get the most media coverage?Is it the trendy new outfit or shoes? Is it the labels we buy, the new haircut or the new and improved body? Is it the people we want to be seen with? Is it the Face Book or other social media posts that gets liked or tweeted?

Can’t you hear and feel my loud bass that’s vibrating my car and yours’ at the stoplight? Don’t you recognize my face, my popularity and fame? Here I am, don’t you see me? Many seem to have some kind of a score card. The long winding road for our search for significance is always available for our experimentation.

We’re like the young boy anxiously looking for recognition when he pulls on his Dad’s pant leg and asks, “Daddy, Daddy, look at my report card, what do you think Daddy?”

In the movie Avatar, when the Na’vi people meet, they greet each other with, “I see you.” It’s more than a simple greeting; it’s an acknowledgement of their presence along with empathy. How sorely needed is that today?

There is someone strong and kind who notices you
More than just noticing you, God  intimately knows everything about you and is madly in love with you. He knows all the joys, victories and disappointments of your life and even measures all your tears (Psalm 56:8).

In Genesis 16, after Sarai’s maidservant Hagar became pregnant she was harshly treated and rejected. Deeply distraught she ran away into in the desert where an angel appeared to her and told her that the Lord saw her misery and that she would have a son. As a result, Hagar called the Lord, “You are the God who sees.”

In Luke chapter 7 a prostitute who was well known to most people in the room where Jesus was eating washed the feet of Jesus with her repentant tears and wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. This was an extravagant act of worship, but given her reputation this was a very scandalous thing to do especially to a rabbi. She simply responded with love and adoration, what else could she do?

Most likely the only thing she had seen in most men’s eyes was condemnation or lust, but in the eyes of Jesus she saw something vastly different. She saw love, something she hadn’t seen from a man in a very long time, if ever. She was not an object to Him, not someone to be used, but His special unique creation. Now seen through Jesus’ eyes she had understanding, worth, and acceptance. She was changed! Her heart’s response to His love was bursting with heartfelt worship and deep gratitude.

The stark contrast between what Simon and Jesus saw in this woman.
After this Jesus turned to the woman and said to the host Simon, who was a Pharisee, “Do you see this woman” or in other words, what do you see in this woman Simon? Simon, do you see what I see? Simon didn’t assign any value to this woman – she was a no count to him, but not to Jesus. Thankfully Jesus has a different kind of score card than most people. Then Jesus told Simon that as his host he did not greet nor treat Him with such honor as this woman did.

Maybe lately you have you felt alone, unnoticed, neglected, seemingly forgotten, disrespected or unloved? Jesus understands and rest assured He has never lost sight of you! How much more is His eye upon you than the sparrow?

Have you lost sight of Him who really loves you?
He has not forgotten you. You are in the palm of His firm hand and you are the apple of his eye! He is committed to you. He will never ever lose sight of you and He will not love you more tomorrow than he does today.