1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

I’ve always considered myself to be a people watcher. I have done it for as long as I can remember. I have for the most part imagined what is in their life. Everyone has a story, everyone has history and except for a few recognizable moments where you see yourself in the behavior in others, life is a mystery.

Yesterday I was waiting at a light and the traffic on the opposite side from me had their light turn green. As the lead car began to enter the intersection a young man riding a sporty motorcycle ran the red light and missed the lead car by inches. As the driver passed me I looked at her and saw her face plainly. I could tell what she was thinking, I did not have to read her lips to know what she was saying. I discovered in her that moment when I had felt that very same thing. We connected, even though she was unaware of me.

I do not know this woman, her name, her job, her life, but in an instant, for a brief moment, I knew one slice of her life. I knew this only because I recognized in me what I saw in her. That does not mean I know her. In comparison, with people I have known for years, I have witnessed only momentary slices of a life in which the other person was willing to allow me a close up view and I get to know more than just what is observed with the eyes. That does not mean I know them beyond that which they are willing to share. The rest is left to my imagination.

Tomorrow I will complete this thought as it relates to watching God.