My youngest son has the car bug. He’s years away from driving but he spends a lot of time imaging the possibilities. “Dad, would you rather have a Lamborghini Aventador or a Ferrari Portofino!? Hey Dad, would you rather have a McClaren 720s or a Tesla!?” We enjoy dreaming together. I enjoy reminding him that he’s going to have to mow a lot of yards if he wants to drive…ever!

We live in the land of pickup trucks and minivans. It’s not common to see the likes of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mclaren, or Tesla in this town. But that’s the funny part. Since we started talking about these cars, I’ve seen more Tesla’s in our big little city than I’ve ever noticed before.

Scientists have a name for this. It’s the Baader-Meinhoff Phenomenon. It’s what happens when something you recently learned now seems to show up everywhere. It’s why, if you bought a red dress for prom, at the prom, you notice so many red dresses. It’s part of what influences you when you hear hooves to look for horses and not zebras. Until someone tells you to look for stripes. Then zebras show up everywhere! This phenomenon is part of a much bigger principle. We don’t see the world as it is. We see the world as we are.

Alertness is that quality of character that empowers us to be aware of what is taking place around us so we can have the right response.

During this time of social distancing, what have you seen? Do you see isolation and loneliness? Do you see selfishness and fear? Do you notice the anxiety in others because of the anxiety in you? Or do you see something else? Here are a few things to be alert to.

• I’ve seen doctors, nurses, and first responders put themselves in harm’s way to care for others.
• I’ve seen a man sacrifice his time and income to get medical face masks to cities hit hardest by COVID-19. It was a $4 million dollar gift.
• I’ve seen the church leave the formality of programs behind. Worship happens in homes and online. Volunteers feed people and meet needs throughout our community. People connect every week with the most fragile among us.
• I’ve seen families taking walks together on a beautiful spring afternoon.
• I’ve seen businesses find new ways to serve their customers. I’ve seen employers fight to provide for their employees. I’ve seen employees make personal sacrifices for the good of their company and community.
• I’ve seen teachers adjust to new methods of teaching and students excited to explore a new way of learning.
• I’ve seen people who have things partner with people who need things so that everyone is cared for well.

All these things remind me of an old cliché, “What you see is what you get.” It’s why I like to fill my mind with Scripture. Through the lens of Scripture, I gain a perspective that’s bigger than myself. By the Word, I get a glimpse of the eternal reality behind this present circumstance. The Bible gives me insight into my own heart. It helps me notice the deep waters that flow out of the words, actions, and feelings of others.

Before the nation of Israel crowned their second king, God reminded them that He doesn’t see as man sees. Man sees the outward appearance but God sees the heart. The things that God is alert to are deeper and far more essential than the surface reality that often distracts us.

It makes me wonder. Through this great pause caused by COVID-19, what do you see? Is what you see a reflection of what’s in your heart? How would your life be different if you noticed something better? You don’t have to wait for a red alert to get your attention. Slow down. Look around. And be alert to those things that matter most.

Originally published in the Owasso Reporter on April 15, 2020