Today, I watched as someone I know demonstrated the importance of taking time with people. They went out of their way to connect with someone who just happened to be passing by and made an effort to spare a few minutes of their time to say Hi, and enquire how the other person was. It may have seemed small, but it revealed their heart and that people are important to them.
Taking time with people is an admirable trait, one which the ultimate people-gatherer Jesus demonstrated. He took time with all those who came to Him even when the social customs and traditions of the day said you didn’t bother with certain classes, sexes or certain types of people.
Not only were the rich, successful, and educated people welcomed by Jesus, but also those most people didn’t even notice.
Elderly people sick in bed were healed; Children were blessed in his arms, prostitutes, the demon-possessed, the lonely, the widow, the sick, unclean, and the outcast were all accepted and set free from what ailed them.
Nobody was or is today beneath Jesus’ notice or regard. He still cares and takes time with people. No request or concern is too trivial for Him to notice, and no prayer is unimportant.
Today, I encourage you to draw near to Jesus and come to know Him as the one who takes time with you. Tell Him about your day, hopes, dreams, and desires and let Him meet every need in your life. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and is never too busy to listen or to act on our behalf. (Hebrews 13:8)
Then show the same care for someone else and take time with others as Jesus takes time with us because you never know how much it will mean to stop for a few moments to ask how they are going or lend a helping hand to a person in need.
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behaviour from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the example you set me on how to relate to others. Please fill my heart with your love for others so that I, too, will learn to take time with people and love them as you do. In Jesus name Amen.