Have you ever been looking in the fridge for a particular item, but you can’t see it? Or perhaps you can recall placing your phone or wallet down on a convenient surface, but then you can’t find it again when you need it? Or maybe you know the feeling associated with a missing article of clothing you think should be in your room somewhere, but it seems to have disappeared? At moments such as these it helps to reset, refocus, clear your mind of all other distractions, concentrate, breathe and take a second look.
Why? Because taking a second look with a refreshed and renewed attitude will more often than not result in a different and better outcome.
This same understanding applies also to the more complex life situations we face – our choices, decisions and relationships – not just our misplaced items. Taking a second look with a reconsidered approach, an alternate attitude and a fresh perspective can make a genuinely positive difference. We will consistently find ourselves in moments we can’t change, but we can always change the way in which we look at any given situation.
Many people know the story of Joseph as recorded in Genesis, the first book in The Bible – especially those who are interested in music theatre and have seen a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice.
It is the story of a young man with big dreams who innocently and naively shares his thoughts about his bright future with his 11 brothers. Unfortunately for Joseph, his brothers can only see that the future he describes may not be of benefit to them, and so, filled with jealously and anger, they begin to plan his downfall. In direct contrast, Joseph’s father Jacob looks at the same situation with very different eyes – he stops, thinks and considers what he is observing. He takes a second look. The brothers were quick to begin plotting hurt and harm, but Jacob was contemplating an alternate pathway. The Bible describes it this way:
‘… but his father kept the matter in mind …’ (Genesis 37:11).
Recorded in the second half of the Bible, there is another story with which many people are familiar – the account of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in the lead-up to the birth of Jesus; the first Christmas.
There was much happening in Mary’s life at this time. She was a young pregnant woman travelling an uncomfortably lengthy distance by foot and on a donkey simply to fulfil the requirements of a government-imposed census. She carried the weight of expectation on her shoulders from family, friends and community who believed she was chosen and special. And, when during this trip away from her home and her extended support network, she gave birth in a borrowed stable amongst farm animals, she was unexpectedly visited by numerous gift-bearing strangers from distant regions who arrived to worship her son! We can only assume this was for her a challenging situation – and then we read this amazing description of Mary in Scripture:
‘But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.’ (Luke 2:19)
The full meaning of the original Greek word for ‘treasured’, syntereo, used in this verse is ‘to hold onto, to keep, to preserve for later use, and to file away for the future’. Mary could have complained and argued and questioned everything in her situation, but instead she was calm and considered; thoughtful and focussed. She was looking with different eyes – and planning for her future. Mary took a second look.
Life will deliver situations we don’t expect or understand – so the questions for us are: Will I react or respond? Will I jump to conclusions, or think through the possibilities? Can I only see this moment as an inconvenience and an annoyance, or can I take a second look, aiming to discover the possible learning and growth beneath the surface?
We will all contend with large and challenging situations personally and professionally, and we will also all walk through smaller events every day which continue to provide us with the opportunity to take a second look.
Am I prepared to consider the value of taking a second look?
May God bless us all.
Rev. Tim Edwards
Lead Chaplain
