Equality begins with the way we acknowledge one another in the very simple in-between moments.
Amanda Viviers, Seek: a devotional guide to surrender
Recently I went to a conference and I noticed a really bizarre phenomenon. As I walked into the bathroom at the break time, every single lady lining up in the queue had her head down either in her phone or directed at the floor. It was really stark to me. No one was talking, just standing in a line, looking down.
Then on my way back out of the room, I thought I am going to do something. I looked at each lady in the eyes and smiled. Something really small and insignificant but the result was strange. No one smiled back.
It was a Christian conference. And I know queuing for the bathroom can be a little awkward but I remembered the times when I would queue for the bathroom in a nightclub and it was completely different. Everyone would chat, share lipstick or perfume and there we were laughing with complete strangers.
There is something powerful about seeing people truly with our own eyes. The connection is not just something that we have with one another in name, it is the capacity to look into one another’s eyes and draw out something powerful in each other’s “Humanity”.
This Lent, what if together, we made a commitment towards seeking connection with one another beyond screens, names, roles, affiliations and accolades? Equality begins with the way we acknowledge one another in the very simple in-between moments.
Amanda
(This is an excerpt out of Amanda’s latest devotional Seek: a devotional guide to Lent, download your copy today.)
I agree Amanda I ve often seen this myself and thought it’s a strange thing. Hopefully your article will raise a little more awareness in each of us and bring about some change ?
Yes, it just takes a few people to change this.