People living around us are starving for answers. However, they do not necessarily know how to ask the questions. And it seems our lives do not usually give them a reason to look to us for some of the answers they need. We may want to look cool and not stray too far from the norms of our culture and when we live this way, very few see anything that arouses curiosity about how we are living. When no questions are raised, no answers are given.
Much of what we talk about that we believe to be how to relate to people ends up being an inch deep in the impact it makes with them. What is needed is what James Blunt sings about in "Same Mistake"when he says "maybe we'll talk and not just speak."
Proverbs 10:11 is a staggering contrast between people who make a difference and those who just show up in others lives. Deep and "life giving well conversations" are not very common in most lives. Many people travel on Interstate 25 in Colorado but not as many travel on Road 15 in my county. The view from Road 15 is at times amazing compared to the Interstate. There are so many cars on the Interstate that you do not have time to really look west to the Rockies. This compares to how most people live. Abuse rules on the Interstate as people weave in and out of traffic to knock off 30 seconds of their trip.
How can we be people who have deep rather than shallow relationships with people? How can our conversations give life, hope and encouragement to people and not just cause them to occasionally glance at their watch when we are talking to them?
I do not believe this is complicated. If we have a growing relationship with Jesus who started it all and we tap into his wisdom, we will be able to speak into people's lives in a much different way. Our words do not have to be measured by volume but rather by sensitivity to God's leading. The realness of our relationship with Jesus allows us to really help people who are still trying to get off the Interstate.
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3 comments:
good words as always, but really can't believe you quoted a James Blunt song...
I love the idea of getting off the interstate. How do you do it in the rush to get from waking to sleeping? I'm lucky to take time to watch an hour of TV before sleep. Writing this entry cost me in terms of family involvement and necessary 'chores'.
How do you change your paradigm? How do you listen when all you want to do is claw your way forward to the next task?
I crave to get off the interstate, but I do not think it is so easy.
You are right in that it is difficult to leave a life that is full of activities. I have found that you need a conviction from the Word about what our purpose is and how our use of time relates to that.
For me, I have to make small changes-one thing this week and maybe another in a couple of weeks. I learned the hard way that God gave us all the time we need to do what he wants us to do and that for the most part I am doing exactly what I want to do.
It is challenging to me to believe that Jesus really meant what he said. I would encourage you to begin to focus more on who God wants you to be than what he wants you to do.
Thanks for your thoughts.
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