(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
Col. 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive…
Have you ever had the thought, Life would be so much easier if everybody else saw things the same way I do? Of course you have! Everybody experiences some angst and confusion when meeting somebody else who sees the world through a very different lens.
But when these conversations arise – when it’s clear that you and another individual have very different perspectives – there’s a set of three questions you can ask yourself during the convention in order to keep yourself from being judgmental:
- Am I present or distracted? (Am I thinking more about what I want to say in response, or am I really listening to understand?)
- Am I loving or judging? (Do I see myself as better than the other person?)
- Am I open or closed to being changed? (Do I know everything there is to know about this topic?)
Questions such as these will help you get to know the person, the ways God has created them, and their life experiences. And your conversation will be more gracious and attractive.
READING & PRAYERS:
COLOSSIANS 4:2-6, PROVERBS 16:24, 15:23, 18:4, 18:20 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
PRACTICE: Write down these three questions somewhere you will see them often: (1) Am I present or distracted? (2) Am I loving or judging? (3) Am I open or closed to being changed? Begin reflecting on these questions each time you have a conversation with somebody who may look think, live, believe, or behave differently than you do?
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m continuing to recognize that not only is Jesus with me and for me, He is also with others and is for them. As I grow more in Christlikeness, I see that I also need to be someone who is with others and for them. Continue to help me see that the person I’m speaking with is of far greater value than whatever topic we may disagree on. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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