Via TJC
“Now they have come to know that everything Thou hast given Me is from Thee; for the words which Thou gavest Me I have given to them; and they received them, and truly understand that I came forth from Thee, and they believed that Thou didst send Me.” John 17:7-8
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,” Ephesians 2:19
This week, our focus will be on us in the role of Commissioner; that is, the one who sends. As we assume this role, it is imperative we know Who has sent us. We must believe in Him just as the disciples truly believed that God sent Jesus to them. We must believe in His message and live it out in our own lives or no one will believe our story. We will be sharing this week about being sent to friends, family, neighbors, those who are marginalized, and those we don’t even know. This is going to be a week of reflection as it will challenge you to truly understand and believe that like Jesus, God has sent you! It will be a call to action!
It's somewhat easy to carry the message to people we know; it’s called a soft cold call in salesmen’s terms. What about strangers? It’s our non-verbal’s that begin the discussion and that takes some time. I’ve been attending a small church for about 9 months and I knew 2 people, my friends who brought me to the church. It took me a few weeks before I met some people and could recognize them by face, but facial recognition is a start. When we reinstituted our monthly fellowship Sundays or as our priest calls it “meet and munch”, I met more people and got to know them because of the treats I baked. As time went on, I came to know a few of them better, their spouses and children and began to learn of the hurts that brought all of us together. We began to share our stories which led to the next step which is growing spiritually intimate. It’s a process, however, it’s one that is beginning to bear fruit, for them and for me. Collectively, we are fellow citizens with the saints, and are moving from acquaintances to friends.
Daily Battle Order:
Whether it be at work, or at your church, or in your own neighborhood, who are the strangers you encounter daily or weekly? Be aware of the nonverbal’s you’re sending out to them that will lead to the next step, a verbal introduction, and show an interest in them by listening to their story and then share yours. You will be surprised how they will no longer be strangers.
Comments