And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:4-8, ESV)
After hitting a few wedges to begin my warm-up, a young man tending the range walked by to see if any of my clubs needed cleaning. I looked up and noticed his smile. “How’s your day going,” I asked. He looked at me, and his light-hearted response made me stop what I was doing.
This young man wasn’t expecting anything from me. Matter of fact, he was there to serve me. But I believe because I stopped and engaged with him, he felt seen, and in return, I received the gift of shared joy.
My brief engagement with this young man reminded me of Peter and John’s interaction with a lame beggar on their way up to the temple (Acts 3:1). People with disabilities would sit at the temple gates asking for money because they were unable to work. Peter could have thrown him a coin and moved along, but he did the unexpected instead.
Peter (and John) directed their gaze at this man and said, “Look at us.” While others passed by without consideration, Peter stopped and made eye contact with this man. How often do we rush through our day not noticing people? The outside service person who puts your bag on the cart…the server who takes your lunch order…the sales clerk at a store…your spouse or children?
The beggar responded by fixing his attention on them. In this moment of connection, Peter offered the beggar the chance to be healed. “Rise up and walk,” Peter said. I wonder if the beggar understood what was being offered. All he was looking for was a few pennies.
Peter reached out his hand, and the beggar allowed Peter to raise him up. Leaping up, the beggar found his feet and ankles to be strong. He followed Peter and John into the temple (where he was not previously allowed), praising God. How often are we willing to touch those in need of help? And, inversely, how willing are we to receive the help we desperately need?
Here is what we learn from Peter’s interaction with the lame beggar. Giving people our gaze (wrapped with kindness) matters. When someone looks at us, respond by paying attention. Helping others requires us to stop, reach out, and touch them. Like the beggar, we also need to receive from others.
Remember, an act of kindness is worth more than silver and gold. It may be the one thing that turns a life around.
Prayer: Lord, help me to offer my gaze and to reach out and touch someone in need today. Soften my heart and ego, for I may be the very one in need.