Seek Relationships & Find Opportunities

There is a lasting camaraderie and relationship that happens when you have a shared experience with someone or a group of people. Whether it's a party, a trip, a day of fun, working together, the people you went through it with have a lasting relationship, whether it's a good one or a bad one. A common experience I love to recall was my time working at Portage Lake Bible Camp, alongside people I grew close to and continue to do life with when we can today. These are friends who I've stood up with at weddings, who have come to visit me in the hospital when things were rocky - even though I hadn't seen them in months before then, and we still try to find time to get together for a day out in the midst of life. We grew together as college kids, running through the camp's grounds playing capture the flag, sorting beads in arts n' crafts, having late-night chats as roommates in the dorms, and helping kids conquer their fears at the top of climbing walls. The best parts were growing together and in faith as we worked with kids, working through their faiths. This time was valuable, and I didn't realize how valuable those summers were until they were over.

When you have relationships and you are able to invite someone into your life, you can form opportunities to grow together, and as individuals. Our church recently set a vision to reach 1000 invites into our lives and journeys with Jesus by 2025. This vision does not say "invite 1000 people to MCRC (our church) or even a church." It says into your life and journey with Jesus. It's not about treating people like targets to get them saved, but it's about building a genuine relationship with them, learning who they are, what they need, how you can help each other, and to do that you have to open yourself too. Show your struggles, be open about your life and your past. You never know what kind of story people need to feel encouraged when they don't feel hope. Show them they can get through the storms of life because you have been there and did. 

Jesus displayed this in His ministry. He focused on relationship and raised up His disciples, an imperfect group of people, to follow Him and experience a hope through His resurrection. If it was one thing we can see about Jesus throughout the Gospel, it was that He cared about people. He cared about relationships. He cared about unity. His first miracle happened at a party for the benefit of people. 

There is truth behind Teddy Roosevelt's quote, "Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care." You can knock on peoples doors all day long and try to slam them with Bible verses and quotes, but the truth is that isn't as effective as actually building a relationship and trust with them first. Jesus Himself said, 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

Jesus displayed relationship and open opportunities. The woman at the well. Healing people. Lazarus and his family. The disciples. Zacchaeus. All of these started with relationships and loving people. You won't win a heart through fear tactics (at least for more than a minute), and you won't win through slamming their lifestyles. You will win by showing that you care first and giving yourself a passport into their lives. No one wants to hear they are sucking at life, unless it's from someone they trust. 

You already have someone in your life you can start that relationship with. Maybe it's someone you see at the gas station every time you're there. Or your bank clerk. Or someone in your hunting group, or crafting group. Maybe you have a person you work next to. Start with dinner, coffee, snacks, a hobby. Then over time, the opportunities and the questions will come up because you care and you're different. Show it. Be it. Hint, simply ask them how you can pray for them. Then follow up the next time you see them, asking how that is going. The worst they can say is "no, thank you." 

James 2:14-17 states:

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

No one will care about your theology until they know you care about them. To do this, you listen. You build trust.

Scripture to Read:
James 2:14-17, John 13:34

Questions to Ponder:
Who is someone in your life regularly that you could get to know and ask how you can pray for them?
How do our "marching orders" in John 13:34 back up this relationship tactic of reaching people?
What is a relationship you value that has changed you?