Slowing Down to See the Needs Around Us

Last night we hosted our second First Friday Gathering at the park where we are serving as park hosts. Last month we had about twelve staff members attend and it was a beautiful time together. This month the Lord expanded the circle—about seventeen people came in and out. Some were staff, some were campers, and others were new friends from the community I’ve been able to connect with.

I was running behind on grilling, but that delay became a blessing. It gave me a moment to stop, breathe, and observe the work of the Lord all around me. In a world so often marked by division, here we were—people of different ages, backgrounds, and stories—gathered together in genuine fellowship. There was laughter, good conversation, trivia to jog our memories, and plenty of food to go around.

One young man’s words pierced my heart. He told us that he enjoys being around us because “you make me feel seen.” I wept when he said it. In a culture where many people walk through life feeling invisible or unheard, those words reminded me how crucial it is for us as believers to live intentionally. We must take the time to make people feel seen. That is the soil where the seeds of the kingdom begin to grow.

Yeshua said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31) and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But let’s be honest—it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and miss the opportunities right in front of us. Sometimes all it takes is a small act: asking someone how they are really doing, bringing a neighbor a bowl of soup when they’re sick, offering to run an errand, or inviting someone to join you for a short walk. These little “God winks” can make all the difference in reminding someone they are loved and not alone.

This week I’ll admit, it was hard to live this out. Distractions, trials, and even persecution tried to steal my focus and joy. But the Lord gently reminded me of Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5:43–45 about praying for those who persecute you. As I prayed for the very person opposing us, peace and clarity flooded in. The anxiety about the gathering, the frustration about our circumstances, and the weight of discouragement all lifted. Obedience to God’s Word had unlocked release.

Scripture reminds us:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” —1 Peter 2:9

Friend, that includes you. You are chosen. You are holy unto the Lord. And you carry His marvelous light. Each of us has different gifts and talents, but every single one of us has been called to shine His light into the world.

My prayer is that as you go about your day, you’ll slow down, look around, and ask the Lord to show you the divine assignments He’s placed right in front of you. Who needs to feel seen today? Who needs to feel the love of God through a small act of kindness?

Let us live with intention—because when we do, we discover our purpose, we expand God’s kingdom, and we reflect His marvelous light to a world that desperately needs it.