Sometimes I think I'm invisible

Sometimes I think I’m invisible.  Not literally, you understand, but rather that other people’s behaviour seems to indicate that they just haven’t seen me.  Perhaps that explains why, out on my bike the other day, a car swished past so quickly and so close that I felt the wind of its passing.  Happily I was not, at that particular moment, distracted by the sight of a flower or a bird or a butterfly and so I was able to continue without so much as a wobble.  In fairness to the car drivers of the Yorkshire Dales, I should say that I have been riding my bike in this area for years, clocking up thousands of miles, and this is the first time I have felt the swish of a passing car quite so near to me.  I should also add that I have seen numerous cyclists to whom cars appear to be invisible, and who owe their continued existence to the alertness of the drivers!

Of course, I was not invisible to the cyclists I saw that day.  I received many a cheery wave, and even a nod of acknowledgement from those for whom cycling is a serious business, a matter of speed and time and personal bests.  But I also know, from past experience, that had I been walking rather than cycling, very few waves or nods would have come my way.

I am reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus:  ‘If you love those who love you, what reward have you? … And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others?’  (Matthew 5:46-47)

And then I wonder.  How often, in my self-absorption, have I failed to see other people’s loneliness, or sorrow, or heartache?  How often have I neglected the stranger?

More like the Master I would ever be,

More of His meekness, more humility;

More zeal to labour, more courage to be true;

More consecration for work He bids me do.

                                               C H Gabriel

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…

                                                                                      Philippians 2:3-5