A wrap-up concept near the movie’s end nails it: “If you really want to see who people are, all you have to do is look.” How do you see people with whom you work—your clients, coworkers, and employees, especially those who are suffering or just different in light of their disabilities and special needs? I am moved by the divine work of seeing people—really seeing them.

Each time I’ve watched Wonder—the movie based on R.J. Palacio’s award-winning novel—I’ve been ambushed by this oh-so-moving story about a young boy named Auggie. Tears stream every time—and I will own them. 

Born with a genetic disorder, Auggie’s little body requires multiple surgeries. He wears his astronaut helmet because his face is distorted, even after plastic surgery. Auggie and his loving family live in Brooklyn. Originally taught at home, he’s finally sent to school in fifth grade. With the helmet off, Auggie faces the full range of staring, pity, mockery, and bullying by kids.

This amazing story traces Auggie’s school year, along with his parents, his sister, Via, and his struggling friend, Jack Will. We encounter stunning twists and turns, revealing how people see Auggie and how Auggie sees everyone else.

Seeing Those We Serve

The bulk of my daily work involves seeing and serving suffering people who are deeply in need of help. That’s true for most of us. From financial planners to nurses and doctors, schoolteachers to store clerks, automotive technicians, physical therapists, and pastors, we major in helping all sorts of people—precious people with very special needs, capabilities, disabilities, heartaches, hang-ups, hopes, and dreams.

Whether we realize it or not, our most pressing question most days is, “How will I see the person or group of people in my path? Will I see people more deeply, beyond my face-value, knee-jerk reaction?”

The local church where I serve as lead pastor aims to love others with Christ-style love. Our aim is based on Jesus’ holistic call to love God with all we are and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40). That means our planning and behind-the-scenes efforts often involve figuring out ways to serve people who are experiencing physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, or mental suffering. Then our very public, weekly events, gatherings, and services include active interface with those precious people.

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