Last Saturday my team and I decided to spend our off day exploring Pretoria, South Africa. We packed 6 of us in a tiny uber car and headed about 20 minutes into the city. On the way we got a flat tire and started walking. We were determined to see the Union Building because apparently that’s what you do when you’re in Pretoria. It wasn’t anything crazy special, honestly. But we did run into a few people on the World Race Fusion squad there, which was unexpected and super cool! We went with our new WR friends to go to lunch at McDonald’s because we are poor and that’s what you do with a World Race budget of $4 a day. However, a couple of my teammates and I decided to go to a pizza place across the street because, believe it or not, it was even cheaper. We got our pizzas and stared crossing the street when a woman approached us and asked for money. She was in her twenties but looked considerably older. She was wearing worn and tattered clothing and she didn’t smell the best. My teammate, Emily, started a conversation with her and gave her a piece of her pizza. All the while I was rushing her because I didn’t want to miss the crosswalk light. When we crossed the street, Emily asked me why I had so easily overlooked the woman, which sparked a conversation that I have been reflecting on for days after. She asked me,
“Did you take a second to look into her eyes?”
Honestly, I didn’t. I was too preoccupied with my own plans for that moment. I was in a hurry. I didn’t have any money to give away. I didn’t know her story- she probably just wanted money for drugs or alcohol. These are the thoughts I had unconsciously instead of opening my eyes and seeing a woman living on the street who was hungry, tired, and looking for someone to be kind. I realized that I had acquired my own preconceived judgements for people. This interaction has opened my eyes that I need to take a step back and see others as Jesus sees them.
If I had only stopped for a second and seen the woman for who she is, I would have been able to see her as Jesus sees her, someone He died for. That woman is a child of God. I would not have been able to look away and continue walking without a second glance.
To be real, I didn’t want to share this story and revelation with y’all. I hate to admit the major flaw I saw in my heart that day. Even though I went back and gave the woman some of my pizza, I felt ashamed that I had ever belittled or devalued anyone. It was hard to recognize the bigger picture of my own brokenness. But I think this lesson can be applied to those back in the States (and for myself when I return). The issue of homelessness/begging is huge. Next time you see a homeless person and immediately jump to conclusions in your head, I think the Lord wants us to ask him to open our eyes to see people as He sees them.
