Day 4: CONNECTING WITH OTHERS: PART 3 OF 3
Over the past couple of days, we’ve looked at some steps that are helpful when it comes to relationally connecting with others. To continue quoting from the book Connecting by Larry Crabb, he notes that one final way we can connect with others is by “Claiming the special opportunities to reveal grace… .” He goes on to note that relationships (or perhaps, people themselves) heal when they reflect the energy of Christ. Some helpful steps may include:
- “Letting people know we delight in them as Christ does.
- Eagerly looking for the goodness in someone’s heart, and identifying the passions that are prompting loving, strong choices
- Remembering that it’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance and healing.”
Larry Crabb, by the way, is a professional counselor. But after years of counseling discovered that the best requirement to connect with others wasn’t his education, but instead was by being godly. He confesses that being godly is far more difficult than getting an education, but that the ability to fully connect with God & others is worth it. As you read today, consider this: Do you find it challenging to let others know you delight in them?
READING:
COLOSSIANS 3:12-14; 1 CORINTHIANS 13
Do you find it challenging to let others know you delight in them?
Have you had any success in being able to relationally connect with others who think differently than you do? What made those relationships successful?
Think of someone in which you know you have not searched for the hidden good within them. Is it possible God is inviting you to think differently about them? Is it possible God is inviting you to take another step to reconcile that relationship?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: Genesis 15
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess that seeing the hidden good in others is sometimes challenging, but letting others know that I delight in them is even more challenging! Today, my desire is to share with at least one person something I appreciate about them. May this begin a ripple effect that helps me relationally connect with everybody in new, profound ways. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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