Columbian Ground Squirrels, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010, taken by Martha Wiggins
“Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, and follow after it.” Psalm 34: 15
In the bustling season of Advent we often get in such a hurry to get things accomplished we don’t really see the other person right in front of or right beside us. They are just part of the crowd that is in our way, slowing us down, trying our patience. When we do slow down to look at others, are they in a hurry also? Are they impatient with others, maybe even with us? Do we look at them and just wish they would hurry up and get out of our way? When we really look at them are we really seeing ourselves?
Advent is meant to be a season of Peace rather than all hustle and bustle. Jesus comes to bring Peace to the busy world, but also Peace to each heart. When we begin to really see others, even ourselves in others, we begin to behave differently. We begin to slow down and take some time to show more respect, more kindness, even love to those all around us. A blanket of Peace begins to spread across the land, and we begin to experience Peace in our own hearts as we prepare the way for all to receive Him when He comes into the world on Christmas morn.
An Advent experiment: Be the person you want others to be. Pay close attention though, because it is hard to live up to the standards we often wish to hold others to. But also see, when we do, others respond accordingly. Can you smile at EVERY person you come in contact with? Can you make the others in the cash register line laugh and smile, or make the cashier glad you came through their line? Be the person you want others to be and watch as they (and you) are transformed!
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