Whatever room you enter today, remember to seize the attitude of Jesus.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a pretty tough question.
Okay, here it is: Think about the last time you entered a room filled with people [maybe at a party] and most of the people you didn’t know – okay, you got it? So, my question is: How would you see yourself reacting? What were you thinking as you glanced around the room? I asked this question of a few friends not long ago, and a couple of them confessed that, yes, those situations usually filled them with a little anxiety, a little fear. Others would scan the crowd to see if there was someone, you know, anyone they knew? Someone they could relax with and talk to? Others wanted to reach out and introduce themselves, but they held back for fear of not knowing exactly what to say. It’s something we all wrestle with. We wonder what people are going to think about us. We’re afraid that no one will talk to us. And so, we avoid the very people – new people – God wants to introduce to us, all because of anxiety and fear.
When people find themselves in awkward social situations, they will sometimes develop the habit of looking inward which only breeds loneliness. But God wants us to always be looking outward to the needs of others. Philippians 2 says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Okay, so what was his attitude toward others? Especially others he had never met? Well, John 17 shows us that he prayed for the people around him. Then in John 4, we see Jesus striking up conversations and asking people questions about themselves. Then in John 5, we see Jesus observing their needs and then meeting those needs. Jesus was not one to look inward. He was always looking outward, especially in social settings. And if we want to be like him, he asks us to do the same.
It takes courage to walk into a room where you hardly know anyone else, and pick up a Coke and a snack, then smile and open up a conversation with someone doing the same. Who knows? That person may feel just like you do. But hey, if we have the attitude of Jesus, we can reach out to others with his confidence. You might lack confidence, but he doesn’t. And in that way, you’ll begin to recognize that every acquaintance is a divine encounter. You know that’s true because God is at work or at least has been at work in the one we meet, and God is at work or has been at work in us. Thus, two parts of God's workmanship, come together in contact with each other. When we approach new people with this outlook, we are taking the bold step beyond our loneliness.
So today, have the attitude of Jesus. Especially when you walk into a room of people you don’t know. Think! What would he do? And when you enter that room, think to yourself: “Who here can I reach out to? Who seems to be in need of a little friendly conversation? How can I show Christ’s love to someone in this room? Lord, help me to ask good questions and keep the conversation focused not on me, but on them. Take away my fears and hesitations and help me to fit into your plan right now, in this room, to reach others with your love.”
Oh, and one more thing, when we serve the needy, we also please God. And it’s why I want you to go over to my radio page today at joniradio.org and ask for our Joni and Friends newsletter. It’s filled with opportunities for you to serve people with disabilities in the name of Jesus.
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