Some time ago, I heard a great story about the St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. At that time, they were seeking a new president and received over one hundred resumes. The search committee narrowed the list to five extremely qualified candidates. Someone then came up with a brilliant idea. They decided they would send one person to visit each institution where the five finalists were currently employed. On the sly, they would interview only the custodian, asking his opinion of the person seeking to be their president! The search committee commenced at once. And sure enough, one janitor gave such a glowing appraisal of the candidate that he was selected as the next president of St. Paul’s School of Theology!

I thought that was beautiful. What that search committee understood is that deep faith in Christ will transform all of a person’s relationships. He or she will no longer relate to others according to how much money they make, or how much power they have, or what prestige they carry. No. They treat custodians and presidents with equal respect and dignity.

In 2 Corinthians, chapter 5, Paul writes, “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view…”

May you and I regard no one from a human point of view, but instead with the eyes of Christ. And may we remember that each person is a child of God and worthy of our respect and love.

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, that your love for us is unconditional. Help us to share that same kind of love with a world desperately in need. Wash over us with your grace and give us eyes to see the soul beneath the surface of those around us and the beauty and strength within. Amen.

For many years, my friend Roger Tompkins would take a walk through his neighborhood. As he would walk, he would pray. This was a big part of his prayer life, and I imagine the exercise would clear his mind and open his heart.

In one of my seminary classes, we were invited to take a “prayer walk” through downtown Atlanta. We were to walk with our eyes tuned in to the people and situations all around us and to pray for them as we went. As we walked, we saw a homeless man on a park bench and a group of harried businesswomen rushing back from lunch. We saw children alive with energy playing in a park, and we saw a woman digging through a dumpster looking for her next meal. We saw police officers and moms and firefighters and construction workers. We also saw beautiful trees and birds and the reflection of a brilliant sky on glass windows.

As we reflected on the people around us, we prayed for them, asking for protection, for help, for daily bread, for grace, and for hope. We also prayed for the city and for the nation, and then for the earth. The walk opened our eyes and our hearts.

I invite you today to take a prayer walk. If you are not able to walk, I invite you to take a walk in your mind’s eye. Leave the phone behind. You don’t have to go fast. In fact, a stroll may even be better. Notice God’s creation teaming around you. Notice the people God loves. Offer your prayers, and feel God’s peace and presence.

Let us pray: Living and Giving God, thank you for your love for us—a love that wouldn’t stand at a distance, a love that had to come and walk the earth. Help us to walk today with eyes and hearts wide open; through Jesus Christ. Amen.