“Do not turn away; let me see Your face; otherwise, I’ll die and be like all those who have gone to the grave”. (Psalm 143: 7)

 

Jeremy and Connie Sinott have served faithfully as Worship Leaders and Associate Pastors at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now known as Catch the Fire Toronto) since it began in 1987. They are both incredible teachers as well.

I was used to seeing them from a distance as they led worship at virtually every Conference at this world-renowned center of revival. I did get an opportunity to get close to them when they taught and ministered at a Soaking School in January 2006.

Later that year, I became part of the Visiting Ministry Team, (which meant that I was authorized to pray with those who were on the prayer lines during Conferences). Quite often, I would find myself seated close to where they would sit after leading worship. We would be in one another’s line of sight on occasion.

They really had no idea who I was, what my name was or any other detail. Conversely, I had never really made an attempt to introduce myself to them either.

Once, when I was at a Conference, Jeremy was speeding down the aisle, guitar in hand, on his way to the parking lot. He smiled at me and simply walked on by with a twinkle in his eyes. This scene would repeat itself several times at subsequent Conferences. We still had not met formally. There had been no handshakes. No exchange of business cards.

But there was something about that glint of recognition that always warmed my heart. As a matter of fact, there were times when a smile from Jeremy was all it took to brighten my day and sometimes the entire weekend.

As peculiar as it may seem, the Lord was ministering to me through Jeremy’s eyes, especially when I was going through a difficult stretch in life when my ministry was not being recognized. In fact, it was being ridiculed and rejected.

The cry of David in Psalm 147 underscores the significance of knowing that God’s face is always turned toward us. Yes, it would be great to hear a word from God at any given time. But, in those moments when we are not hearing God’s voice, all we need is the assurance that God still knows that we exist, He knows our name, He cares for us in the midst of our troubles. A simple look is all it takes.

The Lord has been speaking to me about how important it is for us to be God’s face to one another as well. For we all have a need to be known, to be recognized, even simply to be acknowledged as a person of worth.

Everyone with whom we come into contact has the same need as well. Perhaps we are not sure about saying ‘hi’ to them or getting a conversation going (as we mentioned in the DWOD for Aug. 18).

Why not simply offer the gift of eye-to-eye contact? In our busy lives today, not everyone takes the time to even do something so simple.

That person walking by you could very well be at the point of simply needing some affirmation from another human being that they have value. They, like me at that time, may be going through a period of non-appreciation, even condemnation.

That connection could very well lead to conversation, resulting in transformation, as it did with Jesus and the Samaritan woman by the well.

But even if it didn’t go anywhere beyond the initial contact, you would’ve at least ministered to them with your eyes, as Jeremy Sinnott did to me. Amen?