Yesterday at Compass we crystallized the concept of "looking after the interests of others" into one word: attention. When we give attention to others, it is the most tangible, three dimensional way of loving them.
Rather than starting at the "macro" level (e.g., loving the world), we were challenged to pay attention to those on the micro level of our lives: our spouse, children, home group, church, neighborhood, and business. From there we can expand into seeking unity with "humankind" - once we've achieved it with those with whom we live and work.
Who are you paying attention to this week? Who are you studying, attempting to notice every detail about their lives?
In Love Beyond Reason, John Ortberg points out that God pays attention to us. That's one of the clearest ways we know of his love for us.
Check out Psalm 139:1-4:
"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, beyond, O LORD, you know it altogether."
Because God pays so close attention to us, we don't have to have a spirit that constantly worries about wether we'll get hung out to dry. The Creator of the universe has intimate knowledge of us, and that should free us up to then pursue the needs and interests of others, especially those closest to us.
Unity happens, then, when both parties involved are paying attention and seeking the good of each other. That's when unity isn't lame, but becomes a tangible reality that actually makes a difference in the world.
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