“I see you”, this line in the film Avatar refers to more than just “I’m looking in your direction” or, “yeah, yeah I know you are there.”  It is about being fully present, fully aware . . . fully paying attention.  Do we do this in our ministry with children and young people?  Do we see them? Not as some crowd that has pitched up that we need to entertain or disciple or put up with or make it through with . . . but do we genuinely “see” each precious one?

Jesus was the master of “I see you” moments.  Often when he was on his way to do something else – surrounded by crowds and people pressing for his attention.

Remember the story of the woman with the issue of blood? You can read it in Matthew 9; Mark 5 and Luke 8.  I like how Mark puts it best,

“He kept looking around to see who had done it.”

The disciples are anxious, Jairus is frantic – Jesus is supposed to be his way to heal his daughter, she is only 12 and near death.

This woman who has touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak has been ill since this child was born.  Spent everything she had on doctors to just get worse.  Unclean, unable to worship, unable to be near people and she has pushed her way through – not to speak to Jesus, not to be noticed, not to grab his attention – just to grab a bit of his power and sneak away.

Jesus is having none of it.

I see you.

Jesus restores her with one word, “daughter”.  This is the only woman in scripture that Jesus addresses in this way.  In Mark chapter 3 Jesus has said that “whoever does the will of my Father” is part of his family.

From despised to daughter.

How are you doing?  Are you trying to sneak up on Jesus?  Do you feel rejected, outcast, lost and despised?  Do you feel out it?

Imagine Jesus turning to you and saying,

I see you.

Son, Daughter . . . I see you.

Now, what about how we see our children and young people?  That one who comes but tries to disappear in to the wall if we look in their direction.  The one who never speaks, the one who plays up, the one who wants to be the centre of attention but deep down feels rubbish about themselves. The one you roll your eyes at . . .

Imagine you, turning to one of them and saying,

I see you.