A little blind lady went to a church social in which everybody sat in a large circle, enjoying the fellowship of the evening.

As she sat there, she realised that someone was approaching her, and so she got excited as she prepared to greet her friend. But it was not to be, for it was the lady next to her who was to receive the greeting.

It was out of this experience that this lady wrote one of her 9,000 hymns, some of which we still enjoy today – her name was Fanny Crosby.

‘Pass me not, O loving Saviour,

Hear my humble cry;

And while others thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.’

When I worshipped at Norwich Salvation Army, I used to stand in the entrance porch and watch the people as they made their entrance. Nearly everyone was looking for some form of recognition, however small: they wanted to be seen and noticed.

If Jesus worked miracles, then his greatest miracle was in noticing people – picking people out of obscurity and saying – YOU MATTER!

People become extroverts, comedians, not only to make people laugh, but to be at the centre of things.

‘It’s a staggering truth,’ said one unknown, ‘and nothing can change it; but at the heart of this universe people matter most to the Creator.’

I once attended a large Salvation Army gathering in London. An officer who was part of my college setting in the early sixties and had become famous as an international leader, came back to this country for high office.

It was the moment he saw me. He ran up and gave me one of the biggest hugs I have ever experienced. A moment in time, and yet it was my moment.