Who Do You Know?
When was the last time you started a conversation with a random person? Was this intentional or because of an accidental bump into someone at the store? This week and beyond, my intent is to challenge us to consider how we socialize in our personal lives.
Most of us have a small number of people, or a select group, to whom we talk regularly on a personal level. These people are who you know. However, the area that I want to challenge us in is this: How often do we seek to talk with more people? People other than those with whom we normally associate. I'm talking about beyond just the exterior; a deeper-than-surface level knowing. This is going to take incredible intentionality. This is a particularly complex matter for those of us in ministry. And, this brings up the question, who do you know?
Proverbs 27:17 tells us that “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” Most people might tell you to surround yourself with those who will sharpen you. While this is something we need, I have another idea for us today: Let's intentionally find ways to talk with people we don't normally have the opportunity to talk with.
As Christians, we are able to be as spiritual doctors to those who do not know God. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 9:12, “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Although these people may not be our normal group, we should treat them just the same as our close friends.
1 Peter 4:8 tells us “above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.” In that Scripture, I don't see “love only your closest friends," but I see “love for one another.” Showing this constant love will only expand. As you share it with one person, and they share it with another, and you share it with more, it becomes a cycle of love.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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Ben Duncan is an integrated music education major (choral & instrumental certification, K-12) at Lindsey Wilson College. His applied instrument is French horn and he is active in numerous performance ensembles, both instrumental and choral; serving on the Advisory Counsel for the LWC Singers. In addition, Ben is active as a worship leader and enjoys music composition.
