Engaging Everywhere

How many times do you want to slip in the background? Not be noticed? Fly under the radar?

Or, you wait on others to make the first move. You go to work or to church and wonder why no one talks with you. Perhaps this happens all the time and you feel hurt and ignored. Why don’t people see how great you are? You begin feeling like life isn’t fair. Others get all the attention and respect.

Or, maybe you are just lost in your own thoughts and own agendas. When someone engages, you want to quickly answer and dismiss them. Or, you ignore them all together. I think we have all been there. At least when we are in situations where we don’t feel comfortable or we are just too busy.

What if you lived life differently? All the time. Every day. Jesus never ignored anyone. He saw those others ignored. He engaged people lovingly others disdained.

Romans 15:7 tells us, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you for the glory of God.” Some versions of the Bible say to accept or receive one another, and another says to habitually give a friendly reception.  Think about it. Everyone was drawn to Jesus because of his love. The Bible tells us to put on love. How do you put on love?

About twelve years ago I went through a process where I was challenged to come up with a transformational goal that would draw me closer to God. During the course of a week, I prayed and asked God about this goal.  It seemed too simple, but God showed me that I needed to love Him more. I asked God to show me how to love Him more. He has been working on me. I had thought that I loved Him unconditionally and totally, but He showed me that I didn’t.

I have learned that I have to die to self continually throughout the day. God has started giving me His heart for others. He is so good and He is love. I want more of God. The Bible goes on to tell us that the fruit of the Spirit is love. The more time I just spend abiding, the more I engage others as Christ engaged. I am nowhere close, but I am better.

Questions: