Reading People

Can you read people like a book?

That’s an interesting question. We are a so-called “literate” nation. Statistical reports vary, but a high percentage of Americans can read. Most of us learned in first grade.

But we are also a nation of aliterates--people who can read but, for the most part, are completely uninterested in reading and literature. We choose not to read.

So many love their TVs and movies more than books. A report I once heard said the average person reads one book between their graduation and death.

But back to people. Many folks read people like they read books. They don’t.

In the same way we drive by libraries without stopping to read, we pass people every day and never stop to “read” them. We don’t pay attention to their hopes, dreams or needs. We’re not very interested in them unless they can do something for us.

Well hold it right there for just a minute! Why do other people even matter?

Other people matter because, according to the Bible, they’re part of life’s purpose.
The majority of Americans buy the lie that life is about accumulating things. Our unofficial motto is “Get all you can; can all you get; sit on the lid and poison the rest!” We want it all and we want more than anyone else. Plus we’ll pay almost any price to get it. So we sacrifice our health and even our families to “have it all.” How foolish.

In the process of pursuing our dreams, we run right over other people—and we never find satisfaction in life because we ignore them. They’re just not that important to us.

Jesus taught that people are very valuable to God. He will judge us based on how we help others. Jesus said that God expects more from those who have received much.

Unlike us, Jesus was a good reader of people. The Bible says that he knew men’s hearts.

One day a large crowd was with Jesus. His disciples saw a lot of people but Jesus saw them as “sheep without a shepherd.” He looked beyond the faults and saw their needs. He “read them like a book.” Why? Because he cared about them. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus’ followers realized that he saw people in a different light. They saw people as a bother. Jesus saw in them his purpose for being here on earth!

On the day of Pentecost Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit and finally understood. They saw people like Jesus did. And when you become a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ, you finally begin to realize that life isn’t just about you. We are here to serve others.

The world’s standard, as acted out by millions of people every day, is “Hate one another.” But the Christian standard is “Love one another.” Jesus told his followers, “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” We call that “The Golden Rule.”

Over and over the Bible instructs Christians in their responsibility to others. They are to live in harmony with one another, love one another, accept one another, instruct one another, agree with one another, serve one another in love, be kind to one another, forgive one another, submit to one another, teach one another and encourage one another.

Why do we need the reminder? Because, if we “do what comes naturally,” we only think of ourselves. But, as someone observed, the best way to spell J-O-Y is Jesus, Others and You. Joy comes when we put Jesus first in our lives, then others second and ourselves last.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!