Every encounter with another person a three-way call. When we are connected with God and connected with others, then they are connected with God. Whereas pride brings static on the line, humility offers a clear connection.
Here’s how Jesus described the three connections:
Connection One-ASK God.
Connection Two-ask others.
Connection Three-others ask God into their lives.
Let’s examine how to ask others.
Jesus summed up the Sermon on the Mount with the main horizontal theme, “So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). When we do to others what we would have them do to us, we connect with them. In essence, Jesus said that if we ask others about their needs, then we will be better equipped to meet them in order to connect others with God.
We will never know how to serve anyone in the way that they need to be served unless we humbly ask and listen. Solomon said that anyone who answers before listening is foolish (Proverbs 18:13). A humble clay heart connects with both God and others.
I have developed a few simple questions to connect with others. To date, these have never resulted in push back from those who were unrestored.
First, I often ask, “What is your church or spiritual background?”
Next, I inquire, “Will you please tell me your story?”
After asking this question, which often generates descriptions of tragedy and triumph in another person’s life, I ask, “Where is God in all that for you?”
Then I ask this penetrating, unthreatening question, “In terms of the God thing, would you describe yourself as skeptic, seeker, or surrendered?” Someone who is unrestored will usually attempt to choose between skeptic and seeker.
This week, try these questions and discover more about those in spiritual need that God has placed around you.
Episode 16: Restoring Others: Every Encounter is a Three-Way Call from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.