Who Would You Look For First?

Imagine walking into a room filled with every person you have ever met. As your eyes begin scanning around the room, who would you be looking for first?

Don't overthink it because your heart will most likely answer before your mind ever does.

I came across a video the other day where a guy asked his friend that exact question, and it got me thinking. I found myself wondering not only who I would look for, but why that person would be the first face my eyes searched for.

If you had asked my seventh-grade self that question, the answer would have come without hesitation. I had one of those innocent middle-school crushes on a girl I was convinced was the prettiest girl in the entire school. To me, she had everything. She was funny, down to earth, and on top of all that, she liked me. In seventh-grade language, I had basically won the lottery.

Every morning when I walked through those school doors, my eyes immediately went looking for her. Seeing her smile somehow made the whole day better.

Looking back, though, I realize I wasn't just looking for a girl. I was looking for acceptance. Like most kids that age, I wanted to feel noticed, and in my mind's eye, that was all that mattered.

Funny how life has a way of changing what we treasure.

As I grew older, my priorities changed. Today, if I walked into that same room, I already know who I would search for first. It wouldn't be the prettiest face or the most successful person in the room. My eyes would look for the person who had the greatest impact on my life.

Now, be honest with yourself. Who would you look for first?

Your answer may reveal more than you realize.

In Luke 12:34, Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

We often hear that verse and think about money or possessions, but treasure can mean so much more. It can be a relationship, a career, acceptance, success, or even something from our past that we thought we had moved beyond.

The people who leave the greatest impact on our lives are often the ones who showed us God's love when we needed it most. Their kindness reminded us what the heart of Christ looks like.

Perhaps that's why some faces stay with us.

But what if someone walked into that room and looked for you? What would they remember?

Would they remember how you made them feel? Did you make them feel like they mattered?

Jesus said in John 13:34, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Loving people isn't always easy. Sometimes it means choosing kindness when you don't feel like it. And other times it means letting somebody have the last word, even when you know you could win the argument. Trust me, that takes practice.

So, what do you treasure most? Is it your career, your relationships, your money, your children, your reputation, or simply just being seen and accepted?

There is nothing wrong with having those things. They become a problem when they become more important than the One who gave them to us.

We can spend years trying to be seen by the right people while overlooking the One who has never stopped seeing us. Jesus knows the parts of our story other people don't. He knows what hurt us, where we've fallen short, and what we're still working through. He also knows who we are becoming.

Maybe there is someone you need to forgive or stop trying to impress. Perhaps you've spent years looking for something in other people that God has been showing you can only be found in Him.

If everyone you've ever known walked into that room, who would you look for first?

And if they were looking for you, what would you hope they remembered?

Take that question with you this week. Let it change the way you see the people around you... and the way you show up for them.

We don't always get to choose who remembers us. We do get to choose what they remember. Let it be something that points them to Jesus.

Pray with me.

Father God,

Search my heart and show me what I am still holding onto. Help me release what no longer belongs there and teach me to treasure what matters to You. Let the way I live and love point people back to Jesus. May You receive all the honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.