We can bring change just by looking

Through a 97-second video clip posted on the Internet, the national spotlight focused on Ted Williams, "the homeless man with the golden voice." Despite his troubles that have since garnered just as much attention as his voice, change was brought to his life because someone took a look at him.

In Acts 3 our paths are crossed with another beggar.

This nameless man was carried daily to lay near the gate called Beautiful to beg. He was in a good location. The gate was massive with double-hung doors. The columns were covered in Corinthian brass worth more than silver or gold. Not only was it aesthetically impressive, it was also one of the entrances to the temple where worshippers would cross his path several times a day. There this man lay, day in and day out for who knows how many years, hoping someone would look at him.

How many people walked by trying not to look at him? Did they catch themselves gazing toward him only to quickly look away so to they would not get his attention? How many days did he look at the ground too ashamed to look at the people walking by? How many times in his heart did he say, "Won't someone look at me?"

Then one day along came two men who stop and say "Look at us."

A look changed his life.

They looked and through the power of God his feet and ankles became strong.

Because of a look he went from begging for scraps to dancing. Because of a look he went from being dependent upon others to being independent. Because of a look he went from being unable to work to bearing the responsibility of paying taxes.

Change came because of a look.

Change is never accidental. Change does not come to our souls, to our lives, to the families we love or the organization we lead on its own.

Change came when this man looked at two men who were looking to God and pointing others to look to him. Deep, soul-satisfying change comes when we carefully and deeply look at who we are in light of God is.

The world can change from just one look.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.