Seeing Christ in Others

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a strangerand welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you? Matthew 25:37-40

The day began as any other as I went about the clinic in my usual hurried fashion. It seemed like there were too many tasks waiting to be done and it all needed to be completed at the same time. A man came through our walk-in clinic in need of immediate attention. Mr. B was suffering from an infection that had gone on too long and had now become a health emergency.

I observed Mr. B and noted his physical appearance. His head was lowered and shoulders were slumped. He reminded me of a stuffed toy that had lost most of its stuffing. During the course of our encounter, Mr. B shared that he had made some very poor life choices in the past but was trying to make better choices now. He felt guilty because of how these poor choices had impacted not only his life and health but those of his family. He felt like coming to our clinic was his “last resort” and wasn’t even sure that we could help him. I stopped what I was doing and remembered Jesus’ words in Matthew. I had been given an opportunity to see Christ’s image in my fellow man. I reassured him that he had a home with us and that he was always welcome here.

How often in the busyness of our day do we miss that opportunity to see Christ in others and minister to them as we would to Christ? He is in our midst every day. Do you look for him? Can you take the time?

Prayer: Lord, I ask for my heart to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through his guidance, may I always feel Christ’s presence within in me and see him in all those I encounter during the day.

Susan Hanifl, R.N., works at the Church Health Center clinic in Memphis, Tennessee.

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