Invisible People

Have you ever noticed how many invisible people there are in the world? Probably not. People are invisible because we fail to notice them. Case in point, this past week in Erie, police discovered the body of a woman, in her home, who had passed away in April. You might think 5 months is a long time for someone not to notice this 'invisible person', and you would be right. Yet this lady passed away in April of 2008. 17 months ago! Her utilities had been turned off, her mail had been returned to sender and they canceled delivery. If she lived in Chautauqua county, her property would have already been listed in the newspaper on the delinquent tax rolls. Her husband had passed away several years before, and with no children of their own, and being among the last of her peers, no one noticed when she simply 'disappeared'.

The shut-ins at church, the elderly neighbors, the people we see week by week but never seem to notice (cashiers, tellers, attendants, etc.) - these are the invisible. They are off our radar, and often out of our thoughts and schedules. Many times, we can be invisible to those around us. We can feel alone even though we interact with many people throughout the day.

I see in scripture that the invisible people in his day were important to Him. Matthew 5 starts out with what we call the beatitudes.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."

Blessed invisibleness. I guess when we feel invisible, it is good to know that God still knows our name and watches over us. But I also think that there are many blessed people out there that we might not consciously avoid, but maybe we ought to start consciously looking for. It is hard to feel invisible when you can make a difference in someone else's life. Empathizing with someone else helps avoid empathizing with (ie. feeling sorry for) ourself.

Keep looking up! He's coming soon!