WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? “Compelling Living”

Your presence, in ‘your’ neighborhood, can make a significant contribution in creating a compelling environment in which your neighbors can see Christ in action.

Reflecting and expressing the love of Jesus Christ to others is just downright practical.   Living out our relationship with Him in reaching out to others demonstrates He cares about “them.”

There are numerous avenues to reach out and touch someone in ways that ‘honor them’ and show them that ‘they’re special.’   The sky is the limit.  

God has chosen to use people…to touch people for Him.    In order to be a blessing to another, we need to employ ourselves; specifically our hands, feet, ears, hearts, eyes, mouth and mind.

I’ve often thought….what can I do?  I’m only one.   Yes, one plus Almighty God.   

What character qualities or attitudes do I need to embrace in order to begin building a ‘compelling environment” that will draw others to the love of God?

#1     Leave yourself at home and get out there.   Take walks with your children or your pet.  You need to be seen for them to notice that you’re new in the area.  Hibernation can suffocate you, and can even bring on unneeded depression, mild or otherwise.

#2     Get out of your comfort zone….again it’s your house.  Yes it’s where we feel safe and secure, but it’s also where ‘nobody knows your name.’

#3     Just be a joy to see.  I’m not talking about how you dress but your facial countenance.   A smile does increase our face value!

Try to issue as many smiles to others as you can.  It’s amazing that many will smile in response to your first attempt at a facial upward curve.  

 If we walk often enough, we’ll begin to see the same people out with their kids, dogs, walkers and footballs.

Most of the friendships I’ve developed have been because I have smiled first and by that made an attempt to be friendly.

#4     Forget yourself.    My husband and I have been NEW to twenty-eight neighborhoods thus far.  And trust me on this one, people could care less that you’re new.   People enjoy responding to someone with a friendly and caring attitude.   

You may feel strange and awkward at first….but that’s because your focus is on you.  May I say tenderly….forget yourself.    If you belong to the Savior, just get out there and represent Him.  You will soon fade into the background if your focus is on just being friendly.

No, I’m not talking about dripping over people….just a gentle hello accompanied by a smile.   Watch and see what happens.

I remember a woman asking me one time:  “How can you be new and just reach out in friendliness to others?   Don’t you feel self-conscious?”    I responded yes, and that’s the problem.   I have to get over myself.    I shared with her that many times I sense God saying to me as I drive around a new environment where I know I’m about to meet strangers: “Dianne, leave yourself in the car, and go in there to represent me.   It’s not about you…..it’s about Me getting out of you.”

Once I’m out of the way in my thinking…..you can burst on the scene with freedom….and intentionality.  

Walks in our neighborhood announce our arrival and availability.   Prayer before our walks opens our eyes to potential mission spots.  We need God to open our eyes to the people-potential out there.   Oh, they are there, but often we don’t see them clear enough to see the possibilities.

Years ago we lived in a home that was located in a country-like setting.  From ‘inside my house’ (where I felt comfortable) I seldom saw another person.  Being “new again” in a new neighborhood, and now a new country, I knew I had to get myself out there and just walk.  I was getting too lonely inside.

No, I didn’t feel like it!  Those welcome wagon neighbors were not pounding on ‘my’ door, so off I’d go each day, hoping to meet someone with whom I could at least make eye contact with.  

God’s ‘Divine assignments” usually don’t arrive all packaged up with signs like:  I’m the one….I’m the stranger whom you’ll get to know and love later.”   One particular man on my new walk didn’t even come with “smile packaging.”

For weeks we would pass each other.  I’d smile and say good morning and if I recall, he would barely acknowledge my presence.    Cease looking for great facial approval ratings.   People are carrying burdens, hurts, and with a myriad of struggles, seldom offer a reciprocal smile.

One afternoon I was out in the front of our home mowing our lawn, and this man that I’d pass each day for several weeks, approached our house.   I never expected any conversation, but to my surprise he came over and said these words:    “Were you aware that you are always smiling when you walk?”   I responded with a surprised and curious look, as I wasn’t aware of any facial expression when walking.

I can’t remember how we came to the topic of God….but he was the one who brought Him into the conversation.  He asked me if I was a Christian.   You know my response without asking….yes!

“I thought so” was his response.  He then proceeded to tell me that his son was a believer, and how his son was praying for him.

We’re all “links in a chain” in reaching others for Christ and what a privilege it was to be another link this man’s  awareness of a Savior who loved him….and loved him enough to have a stranger greet this man with a ‘smile every morning when he was out for a walk. 

How we behave and respond to others is representative of the Lord.    I shared with him briefly what a pleasure and joy it is to belong to a wonderful Lord.   I lightly touched on some of God’s gracious qualities and left it at that.  I guess I couldn’t help but smile.  That was about it!   From that day on, he would smile and respond every time we saw each other.

There are many, many other people that I’ve come to know and to love and befriend in a similar manner as this man.   One conversation leads to another, and on and on it goes.

Had I always remained in my home, there are dozens of people I would have missed the joy of knowing, loving and learning from.  No wonder the Lord wants us to come out of our comfort zone….so that we can see the difference He makes just with our “smiles and hello’s” along the way.

WHO’S THAT POTENTIAL FRIEND OUT THERE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU HAVEN’T MET YET?