Why I would duck and run if I saw you at the market.
I ran into a woman at Fred Meyer a couple months ago. We were both dropping off our kids at the while-you-shop daycare, and I said something to her about how nice it is to be able to shop without distraction. We talked for a few minutes, and then she commented on how I looked familiar to her. After rattling off a few places we might have met, she finally mentioned one of the parks within walking distance of my house, and I remembered her as a mom I chatted with on several occasions while our kids played last summer. We talked some more and then exchanged phone numbers for future play dates.
I’m not a person who willingly makes small talk with strangers, but on that day as I stood waiting in a line, I initiated: I smiled, I made a comment, and I connected.
This bold move by a shy girl was sparked by Pastor Mark’s teaching on Nehemiah 9, which I had just heard the previous Sunday. Folks gathered to read Scripture, the story of how God had initiated toward them, and the people had responses — worship, prayer, and confession. Scripture is how God speaks to us, he said, and prayer is how we speak to God.
We must first listen before we speak.
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:17-18).
This idea of responding to Jesus’ initiation has been Mars Hill’s mantra since the dawn of time - it’s the reason we take communion every week and sing after the sermon instead of before. It’s gotten to be so ingrained in me, that when I visit other churches I feel a bit stunned when we are dismissed after the sermon, or it’s not the once-a-month week they serve communion.
But after this particular sermon I better understood my role in the equation - I began to understand it as a model for relating to the people God puts in front of me. Jesus initiates toward me, and calls me model his love by initiating toward others.
This is usually uncomfortable for me, because most of the time I would rather be left alone and avoid small talk. But Jesus is disruptive. He disrupts my comfort zone and he calls me to be disruptive in His name. He challenges me out of my excuse that I am a mere introvert.
So as Jesus initiates in my life, more and more I am responding to him by stepping out of myself to initiate relationship with others. And, as in the case of the woman I met at Fred Meyer, I find myself making new friends.
How has Jesus been challenging you to be an initiator?
Show/Hide (7) comments
I’ve been going to the ballard church and I’ve yet to have anyone say hello to my wife and I.
I’ve tried to say hi, be friendly, but it appears that the people of God would rather pass me and her by…maybe we just don’t have the “look” of christians.
I moved here from L.a….I have no friends, no family…and I wish that more people would read this post…maybe on sunday morning someone will remember the mexican kid in the back and remember who I am.
Sir Jorge, my husband and I had the same experience you have had at Mars Hill. It wasn’t until going to community groups that we started seeing people we recognized and who recognized us from week to week, and we actually had conversations with people at church. After going to Mars Hill for a while, I found myself struggling with being friendly at church to people I didn’t know. Yes, hopefully others will read this post and be reminded of how important it is to be an initiator.
the seattle freeze-i would encourage some to read this article that a client of mine gave me. It’s called “our social disease” and i do relate.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/pacificnw/2005/0213/cover.h
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i have a hard time connecting with people–not just in our church and believe me I’ve tried. Destroying unity is satans plan. I think people are afraid of my raw personality. i love my community group but i wish more people would want to get to know me on a deeper level.
Evie is absolutely right. We must foil Satan’s plan to create disunity in our homes, the church and our communities and glorify God . Every day, praise the Lord in prayer. Offer Him a sacrifice of praise. Talk about His wonders and greatness among ourselves to bring glory to His Name. Do not give up meeting together. Join small groups to study The Word and/or pray, then as we are fed the Bread of Life, Live! Do not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ! Proclaim it!
Ps. Jorge, I love you and your wife. You are my brother and sister. We will be united one day and glorify the Lord together. Let’s all pray that our many brothers and sisters will be united in Christ now.
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