I really hate the term “spiritual discipline”.
To me it sounds legalistic and rigid and joy-less and not very Jesus-y. Which is ironic, because “spiritual discipline” is about becoming more like Jesus.
Though I don’t like the term, I love the reality that there are little experiments and experiences, prayers and practices and prompts that we can use to help us become more loving. I’m grateful that God is at work transforming us in our everydayness when we pay attention.
Since 9/11 this is a common sign to see around airports or subways.
I’ve been thinking…What if we use this as a prompt to help us become more like Jesus?
Jesus was a noticer. He looked people in the eye. He saw, He affirmed, He named what was wrong, He questioned.
So how about…
- If you see something positive, you say something positive When you observe someone (yes even a stranger) doing ANYTHING you admire, if you hear them affirmed in a conversation when they’re not around, use that as a prompt to say something or write a note telling them specifically what is awesome about them. Don’t let affirmation go unsaid.
2. If you see someone overlooked, say something. A friend was sharing the other day, how she is trying to “see” the unseen – the grubby guy at the car wash, the old lady with a walker – and say something. Engage them in conversation. She sat down on a bench with an old scruffy guy and just asked him a question, so he felt seen and valued.
3. If you see something wrong, say something is wrong. I was walking with a young woman recently who shared the pain of being shamed loudly in front friends and no one named it. No one checked in to say, “You know that thing that so-and-so said? How are you feeling?” If you see injustice or unkindness, say something. Don’t let the elephant in the room hang around.
If you see something, say something. Write a note, ask a question, say “Way to go!” or “That was wrong.”
