With school starting, it brings back memories of starting college. I was far from home and eager to make new friends. I would ask people questions, try to not forget people’s names and the details they told me – but most of the time I just wanted to be the one noticed. I am in between introvert and extrovert, outgoing when it’s needed but need space to recharge. It took effort, and I did eventually find some really great friends.
That started a pattern as Matt and I moved a few more times after college. We would just get established in friendships when we’d move again. After a few years I got used to being “anonymous” in a crowd, it seemed easier and got too hard to commit to many relationships outside of my family.
When we established ourselves in our current community, I wanted to put an end to this “anonymous” living and decided to start my first bible study by advertising it in the church bulletin. We were a small, but mighty group. Jesus taught me that He seeks people out and treats them like they are the only one He was looking for that day.
So the next year, I tried to follow the still small voice in my head and invite people to the Bible study whenever I felt prompted by the Spirit. Beautiful friendships were made over those 4 years, we were on this journey together. Praise God for His goodness and kindness!
So what’s on my mind today, and maybe you’ve heard this before, but this question always stops me in my tracks: “What kind of person are you? Someone who walks in a room and says, “There you are!” or someone who says, “Here I am!”?
This is why I’ve been praying for boldness and courage so much the last few months. It’s not easy for probably the majority of people to be the “There you are!” people, myself included. But there are so many people out there who need to be seen and known, and to feel the love of God that we’ve been gifted to receive. With school and fall sports and activities starting, that means a lot of students and parents will understandably be shy, or nervous, or keep to themselves, maybe thinking they want to be “anonymous”. They might just need you to be bold and courageous, to say “Hi”, to ask questions, and to try to remember their names. This is how good community builds and stays strong. We’re looking outward from our own stuff. Then the next time you see them, you can say, “There you are!”
Jesus, you gave us a path of how to build strong community, thank you for being our teacher and friend. Build us, your people, to be bold and courageous, faithful followers, seeking to share your love with others. May I live out this desire myself by being welcoming and friendly. Call me out when I’m focusing too much on myself. I can only do this with your strength and courage to get outside of my comfort zone. Make me attentive and show me the way. I love you. Amen.
“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others.” Phil. 2:3-4
My Heart, My Home 