A question for us: in what ways are we influencing those around us? Many of us are unaware of our impact on others as we go about our daily lives. We get focused on doing our job, getting our shopping done or any other task we have. We tend to view other people primarily as a means to get our tasks done. Even when we interact with others we very rarely connect with them in any way.
As Christians, called and empowered to transform our cities and culture, I believe we have been missing our best opportunities to do so. We may be very involved in our church activities, even in some “outreach” endeavors. Yet how much an impact on our communities do we really make.
I’m becoming more and more convinced that the way to transform our areas is to be much more proactive in making connections with those around us: our neighbors, our co-workers, the shop keepers, everyone we encounter.
People are dying for connection, for relationship. They may have hundreds of “friends” in social media but few, if any, in real life who even know their name. And who do they have who will give them a smile, a word of encouragement, or some word or blessing from the Lord. That is where we come in. To be that person for them. To start connecting with them and, as time goes on, build a life giving relationship.
Our goal isn’t to get them to church, although there is nothing wrong with inviting them at some point. Our goal is to simply love them, honestly and sincerely in whatever ways we can. To let the love we have received from the Lord spill into their lives.
The challenge to myself and all of us is to become more intentional and aware of those we are around and be “love” for them.
A word of caution. It is not our role to judge, convict or condemn their behavior. Ours is to love and serve them, to bless them.
