A Better Way

I was talking with a couple I don’t know very well at a recent school event when the husband asked me the classic question, “So what do you do? Do you work?”

Immediately, I was made to feel small and put on the spot yet didn’t feel like explaining myself to nearly a stranger, so I just answered a blunt, “No,” without any other justification.

What I really wanted to say was that I am always working—I just don’t have a salary to show for it. I’m highly self-motivated and have never been bored in my entire life. There’s always a multitude of things I am doing for my family. And did I mention the four school trips I have volunteered on in just this last term alone?

But, in that moment, I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit that I didn’t need to explain or defend myself to this parent who genuinely doesn’t know or care enough to ask me a more interesting question. Jesus was often misunderstood. It’s okay if I am too sometimes.

You see, by only asking me the question of what I “do”, it becomes a measure of value which people like to place on each other—as if those of us who are not in paid employment are less worthy or important than those who have an impressive, societal career.

I think we’ve all been guilty of asking the question about what someone does, sometimes because we’re unsure of what to say. But honestly, I think talking about anything from sports to the news or even the weather would be more interesting—especially living in England!

As a Christian, I am reminded and inspired to continually see the value in people not for what they do or contribute but simply because they are made in God’s image. He loves each of us, flaws and all, and even died for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) Because of this, I want to see people through the lens of Christ, that every person has value just for who they are.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8

Let’s be the ones who instantly make other people feel valued. If it’s with someone from the school, we can ask about their children and what classes they are in and what subjects they are enjoying. If it is someone at church, we could ask about what ministry they enjoy participating in the most and perhaps is there anything we could pray for them this week. If it’s someone we see regularly at the grocery store or other routine place, maybe just a friendly, “How are you?” would do.

Jesus made connections with people, and I believe he wants us to do the same. Not through comparison, not through measuring others to soothe our own insecurities, but he wants us to really see people for their value in God’s eyes.

As we reflect on Jesus’ journey toward the cross during Holy Week, I pray that the Holy Spirit would give us insight to genuinely love our neighbors and extend God’s love through kind and thoughtful words. What an opportunity it is when we choose to drop every judgment and presumption about the people we meet, in order to freely, genuinely care about them in the most welcoming and loving way—just like our beloved Jesus taught us to do through his example.

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.—Isaiah 43:1