2019-05-22
Hello, you asked the question: “What do you think of people” an excellent question, if a little broad. Now I consider such questions a gift, so thank you. But it also dangerous for you to ask me for you may get an answer, if slowly. Happily it is only 9 hours in coming:
I was reading “Mister God, this is Anna”, an excellent book that is not quite Christian but still well worth reading and letting effect your thinking. In it Fynn, the author and narrator, talks about when Anna says “I love you” she means it in a profoundly full way. “I” means all of Anna. “love” is not mushy or sentimental, but courageous and strong. And “you” means you, she really sees you and means it. I was reflecting on how I see a “you” and how I might get to see a “you” fully. Initially I was thinking that that would require full knowledge of who you are, but then surely only God can fully see “you”s (that is people)?
At the same time, interleaved with this question (of how to see “you” actually) I was reflecting on the conversation in the car on our way home. Initially it was subdued: all my attempts at starting it up fell short and it was all cold exchange. But when I found the right topic of inquiry it came alive. Then the engagement was natural, flowing and warm. What happened? I found the key to that person, a topic they like and would expound on. I think we were all introverting so not really trying to engage, yet when that topic was found it all opened up.
This made me realise that I think of people as clouds of attributes and preferences, quirks and benefits and so on. But I am wrong. They are bodies alive, or something. This means that I can see a “you” not by seeing a cloud of attributes and preferences but as a person. Admittedly my thinking needs work to get there. But God sees “you” as you are fully and loves you not your attributes, not your benefits, but you as you are as a person. Is this not wonderful? How great His wisdom in creating so diversely and beautifully. How immense His love that He sees us and loves each of us as His own precious child. How wonderful His call and gift that we can love “you”s too! People as people not attributes.
Thank you for your question.