“Come and see what the Lord has done” (Psalm 46:8).
Jesus wants to share his mission with you so that you can have the same joy for others to believe in him that he has in you. He’s doing something.
Jim was one of my mentors with a passion for the mission of Jesus wherever he went. He pastored churches in Texas and people in China. He was so good at seeing what God was doing.
When we’d go out to eat, the first time the server came by he’d be sure to get her name, look her in the eye, be in the moment, and say how much he appreciated her taking care of us. When she’d return to take our order, he’d always order last because as she was collecting the menus, he’d pleasantly inquire, “Patricia, we’re going to say a prayer before the meal, what can we pray about for you?”
Sometimes with tears, all the time with appreciation, she’d say what’s on her mind. Sometimes she’d stay for the prayer, sometimes not. But Jim saw what God was doing. God was putting Jim and Patricia at the same place, at the same time, and Jim wasn’t going to let her get away.
In his company, I read more than a few notes written on the receipt, saying what a difference that made for her hope or faith or interest in God.
One more Jim story, because for him, everybody needs Jesus and people weren’t an interruption, but an invitation. In the era before caller ID, if he’d receive a sales marketing call, he’d welcome the conversation, play along for a little bit, and then ask the person a question. “Do you believe in Jesus?”
He’d win either way, because they’d either answer and he’d witness, or they’d hang up and he’d get on with his day. For personal door-to-door solicitors it was more intense, with the same results.
The cool part about being part of God’s kingdom work on mission with Jesus? You don’t have to manufacture opportunities or manipulate people into awkward situations. You just need to see people in your life—not as burdens but as someone needing blessing, not as enemies but as victims of the enemy, not as interruptions but invitations, not as in your way but being the way.
So get more on mission with Jesus. Take a good look and you’ll be amazed at what you’re missing! Amen.
PRAYER: Jesus, open my eyes to see people not as interruptions but invitations, not as burdens but as needing a blessing, not in the way but the way itself. Amen.
SPIRITUAL NEXT STEP: There’s a difference between going out and finding someone so that you can Invite Your One (manufacturing or manipulating) and Jesus bringing that person right to your inbox or doorstep, to your cubicle or kitchen, to your classroom or team. They might be there already. Pray for this to happen, and for open eyes and heart to see.