Being Present

Romans 10

¹⁴ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Knowing the danger of doing so, I still run with some assumptions.  I still work under the assumption that everyone who is part of the church wants others to be able to part of the church as well.  We might each have ideas about what that means.  But we want people to be part of church. 

But my experience says that we might not all feel the same passion to go out and be the ones who invite others to come to the church in some way.  Maybe fear of not knowing what to say.  Fear of rejection.  Uncertainty of who to speak with.  And a plethora of other questions and concerns.  But Paul reminds us that we are to be part of the crowd who have these beautiful feet bringing good news. 

Where are some places we can connect?  We spoke on Sunday about some of this with the image of the map of the neighbourhood.  Knowing the people who live and work in the same places in which we live and work.  Here are a couple of ideas from another colleague giving some practical ideas.  Maybe we need to start with them and find others for ourselves that work for each of us.  But something to try on:

• I will sit in a lawn chair on my front lawn on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:00-3:20 p.m. as the kids are walking home from school. I’ll have a magazine or book with me, but I’ll stay conscious of who is walking by and say “hi” to them.  If I see the same person multiple days, I’ll try to start a conversation.
• I will go to the local coffee shop three mornings this week after I leave the gym. Instead of going through the drive-thru, I’ll go inside, make small talk with the barista, and say “hi” to whoever else is in line.
• I will walk my dog around my block each evening when I get home from work. I will walk slowly and pay attention to new things in my neighbourhood, or maybe things that I didn’t notice before.  I will say “hello” to any neighbours I see out and about.

How will we each be present in the places we go with the gospel going with us?  Pray for a place that God will bring an opportunity to build a relationship that will bring the gospel with us.