Have you ever heard the advice, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all? Do you follow it? Have you encountered people who do not? Glib and trite responses do not do justice to the depth of tragedy that people face. Ill-considered replies make things worse. Do you see this as a negative precept? It doesn’t have to be. But what can you do? Your presence even in silence is a source of comfort and support. Job’s (false) comforters even had the decency to do this. You can ‘hold space’ with and for other people in silence.

Who do you think you are? Have you crafted an identity for yourself according to your current interests and life status? Do you identify with your clothes and your car? What about your favorite team? What about your house or the city you live in, or the way you earn your living? These are tastes or circumstances and subject to change, but are they the essence of your identity? These are not the real you. How far are you willing to go with this? Do you identify with your church? Yet you can change churches. Does the essence of your being change when you do?

I have given you the Great Commission. How do you view the work of evangelism? Do you see it as a sales pitch? Even if those are not the first words that spring to mind for you, have you seen the gospel message presented this way? Did you find it to be presented fairly and well-received? This is not the only approach. You could also think  of evangelism as a long conversation. It may take many installments. Be patient for the effort is worthwhile. This is more interactive than a presentation, but don’t you feel more invested in a conversation when your own voice is heard?

Do you have a hunger for belonging? This is an inescapable part of the human experience. It is a drive as strong as hunger or thirst. How close a fit do you require of a group to get a sense of belonging? Who wouldn’t like to have a supportive close circle of like-minded friends? Have you searched for this and found it hard to obtain? For you are a unique creation, and the same is true of anyone who would be part of your group. Are you hungry enough for belonging to go outside of your comfort zone to make connections? How large can you make your circle of belonging?