What I've Learned Since I Stopped Jaywalking

This is not a post about following in my footsteps literally as much about learning to slow down in life.

Recently watching this video, I was convicted about many laws that I break in the city as a walker and a biker and as as result I have stopped jaywalking.

It has been awkward and strange standing at street corners while most if not all of the people around me look both ways and continue on their way, but I have learned three very helpful lessons early on in this new endeavor.

  • When you aren't in a rush you notice things that often get overlooked

Not earth shattering I know but the obvious is often dismissed.  From the man doing amazing woodwork in front of the deli to the school security guard noticing me on the street corner as he drove by.  Pausing and waiting for the light provides those interesting moments to stop and enjoy the world around us.  New Yorkers are known for being in a rush all the time, running from place to place, but there is so much to stop and see if we just wait for the walking man to reappear on the crosswalk light.

  • Pausing allows me to unclutter my mind and put things in perspective

Again with the notion of hurriedness, we are tyrannized by the duties and deadlines of everyday but when we allow the street light to set the agenda and have us slow down, even if for just that minute and a half or so, we learn to see a bigger picture.  There is a world going on around us with an abundance of concerns, struggles and cares.  We hear conversations, see faces filled with fear and worry and in that moment, at least for me, learn to put my struggles in perspective. My full email inbox or hungry stomach doesn't compare with the father trying to make ends meet as a bicycle deliveryman for the local restaurant or the drunk man stumbling across the street with his disabled girlfriend at 11 o'clock in the morning.

But most importantly, what I have learned even in the first few weeks of this new conviction is,

  • Pausing allows me to be ready to care, listen and serve those around me

Coupled with no jaywalking, I have resolved to not look on my phone while I am walking around in these two adjustments, I have already seen opportunities and heard opportunities to bless and serve people, sadly not always taking them but at least in the pausing have been more aware of the situations that arise around me.

With my head down and my mind set on crossing every street regardless of the light, sometimes to my danger [and the danger of those around me, New Yorkers are also notorious for blindly following pedestrians around them sometimes even into traffic], I am living in my own world of concerns, which again are mostly minimal.  I am blind to the beautiful and needy world around me because in those moments, the world revolves around my facebook wall, my tweets, my inbox, my schedule, my needs. 

But with my head up, and my feet at rest, I am more available to see my neighborhood, to see needs and opportunities, simple things like helping an elderly woman across a street, being available to answer questions about directions, be more attentive to the homeless and needy around me and just being more aware of conversations going on around me, and maybe even pray for someone.  And in so doing, reflect and maybe even proclaim Jesus to those around me.

Standing on that street corner looks strange to those around me, in fact often it is way to pick out tourists because they are often the ones waiting at the light and this is a picture of the Christian life.  This world is not our home.  When we live like it is, we often miss out on many opportunities to actually love our neighborhood and our neighbors, because we are caught up in our own little world, or living like the world around us instead of seizing moments to introduce people to Jesus who invites them to see the world with new eyes and one day invites us to join Him in a perfect world where among other more beautiful and important features, there probably won't be a need for a crosswalk light.

So what would pausing look like for you and what sort of beautiful and useful moments might arise from waiting and watching?  You might be surprised by the amazing things you see and the interesting experiences that result.

by: Zac Martin Category: Evangelism

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