I must confess something to you. I enjoy people watching. I feel the need to add a clarifying comment with my confession, so you don’t get the wrong impression. I simply like to observe my surroundings. The most intriguing aspect of people watching is how different individuals will respond in certain situations. But one thing that never changes when you watch people is their reaction when someone they know shows up. There is a combination of expressions, which I am sure you have witnessed as well, a handshake, a head nod, a fist bump, a hug, or a wave. However, what I have noticed more than anything, there is always a smile even if it is a slight one on each person’s face. A connection occurs when we show up for others. It’s like we were created for it. Maybe, what is being nonverbally communicated is that we are for each other. Showing up for coffee, a meal, a walk, or simply a talk says to that person you believe in them.
Isn’t this what God communicating to us when He shows up daily in our lives? It means something when other people show up, and it means something when God shows up! We shouldn’t just take it for granted. His showing up affirms that God is for us! He believes in us! Zephaniah describes the feeling that occurs when God’s presence is known.
“The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty warrior one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with joy;
he will quiet you in His love;
he will sing over you with shouts of joy”
Zephaniah 3:17
We are quieted by His love. The noise not only outside us but inside us begins to grow to a slow hush. We are not overwhelmed by the noise of chaos but are surrounded by songs of joy. Our demeanor begins to change from a defensive posture to one of trust. Moses, in Exodus, describes the implications of someone who has a posture of trust.
“The Lord will fight for you,
while you keep silent”
Exodus 14:14
When God shows up, it is supposed to affect us. We simply get smaller, and He gets Bigger! He not only says He for you, but he shows it by fighting for you. Throughout the Scripture when God shows up it communicates three importance truths: God knows, God sees, and God cares.
What I know to be true is I am not the only people watching person out there. We are surrounded by people watchers. Our neighborhoods are watching. Our acquaintances are watching. Our co-workers are watching. Our communities are watching. Our cities are watching. They are watching us (the church) to see how we interact with those around us. Since they are watching, let’s show them a God who is not against them but for them. Let’s show them a God who does not disapprove of them but who believes in them.
This Sunday we have an opportunity with Love Works Outward to show up in a BIG WAY! We will gather at the church at 8:30 for prayer and final instructions. Then we will scatter throughout our community to different sites to serve. We will return to the church at noon to have lunch together and share about the experience.
By showing up we get the privilege to let those watching know if Fellowship Bible Church would disappear tomorrow, they would miss us. But more importantly we don’t want them to miss the same God who has showed up for us.