1 “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”
Acts 6:1 (NIV)
Overlooking an important detail or key relationship is an inevitable and often painful experience. Can you relate? Have you done it lately, and did it cost you? If you’re like me, you’ve had at least a few painful, costly misses in your lifetime.
Here are a few of my overlooks:
Forgot to pack my basketball shoes for an away game my sophomore high school season. (That never happened again!)
Walked off without my wallet on a recent, 700-mile weekend, solo road trip. That meant finding new ways to eat and gas up. An Eagle Scout and former player rescued me.
Undervalued more than a few birthdays and Valentine’s Days of those dear to me. (Still climbing out of regret!)
Underestimated a player’s life of untapped potential due to unseen desperation and depression, secret abuse and neglect … and almost cut him. (He’s healing and developed now.)
Miscalculated my team’s real need of in-season rest. (A big no-no that gets violated all too often in college and pro sports.)
As movements build and time multiplies relationships, overlooks can frequently happen. Such was the case as Acts 6 opens up. Leadership in the Christian community was overlooking a problem due to clear growth and real racism.
God got their attention, and here’s how they recovered and moved on:
They HUDDLED. Gather to listen and gain understanding and perspective. Hear the problem out. Availability and attentiveness always help.
They ACTED. Respond to the overlook. Put shoes on empathy and inequality.
They DELEGATED to avoid future misses. Their new team had organization and balance.
They ACCENTED three core values: being filled with wisdom, faith and the Holy Spirit. Practicing these three insures relational wins.
Huddling, acting, delegating and accenting wisdom, faith and the Spirit are keys to getting overlook wins.
Reflect: Got any current gaps or personal overlooks? Who’s being overlooked in your world? Are you seeking to be filled with wisdom, faith and the Holy Spirit today?
A prayer to consider: LORD, thank You for not overlooking me. You’ve noticed me faithfully, right from the get-go. You’ve won my heart (Psalm 139:1-18).
Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, wisdom and faith to respond as I ought, and Your Spirit to keep me vigilant on this path. I want few overlooks in life. For Your glory, others’ benefit, and my joy in You. Amen.
