Be on the Lookout 👀
5 Places to Look to Intentionally Connect
I have been both excited and challenged over the last few months as we have talked about being intentional with relationships. As we’ve continued to look for opportunities to share Christ with those around us, a few questions have come to mind. The first being, Where do I look? This may be a question that you’ve asked as well. I wanted to unpack a bit of my journey over the last few weeks and maybe my experiences will encourage you.
The top three places that we often tell people to look are:
Family
Co-workers
Close Friends
For some people that is a great opportunity and a SUPER IMPACTFUL way to start. But sometimes when people are being challenged to reach out, and see a list like this, their mind go to one of three things:
"Most of my family are Christ-followers"
"The company I work for is a Christian organization"
"Most of my friends are Christian"—(I have either shared Christ with them OR people I have met through church or small groups.)
If you fall into one of the above categories you might ask yourself, Where do I look to form relationships and be intentional? Where is somewhere I can look for opportunities to share my faith when the opportunity arises? As we have started this churchwide focus on reaching people in our sphere of influence for Christ, I have started to ask myself, Where do I look for opportunities?
Through both prayer and being attentive, no matter where I am,- I have begun to form a list of places I want to connect with people in a better way. This is not an exhaustive list but may spark some ideas for you. Maybe you will read this and think, I’ll do that or I’ll go there. If they don't apply to your season of life or interest you, maybe they will get you thinking about things that do.
5 Places to be on the Lookout 👀
1. Your neighbors
(Those that live in close proximity)
I think this is a big one. In one of our previous seasons of life, one of the most impactful things we got to do was reach out to one of our neighbors. Look for the chance to connect with your neighbor. Maybe not the person that lives directly beside you but maybe someone on the same street or general neighborhood. If you live in an apartment, think about the person across from you, on the same floor, or even the one who is a part of the management team.
2. Coffee Shop
(Or somewhere you eat regularly)
I get coffee at the same place, at almost the same time, on work days. I have realized that I begin to see the same people (both customers and employees). Now when I go in for coffee I will say a prayer for people I interact with and for moments where I can have a conversation about Christ. Not a coffee person? Maybe it’s a restaurant you eat at regularly. I have heard multiple people that have had the chance to talk with their food server or host/hostess.
3. Friends of your kids
(If you are a parent)
This has been a big one for us. We want our kids to live missional lives (by looking for opportunities for them to invite their friends to church and to pray for their friends). As we encourage them to do that, we’ve begun to notice how important it is for us to pray and be intentional when we interact with their parents.
4. Gym/Park
(Or another regular recreational activity)
We are creatures of habits. If you go to a gym or a park regularly you will notice that you see a lot of the same people. You can begin to look at your regular task/routine with a mission! You might also look for opportunities on a sporting team, intramural, or other recreational activities you do.
5. Schools/Teachers
(If you are a student or have a student at home)
If you have school aged kids, this is huge. Such a huge portion of their day is spent in school. One simple thing for me has been for the people working in the parent drop-off/pick-up line. It is pretty much the same teachers/volunteers each day, so I am reminded to pray for them when I see them.
There you have it! Make the decision to be on the lookout. As I wrap up I want to encourage you with John 1:14:
"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish" (MSG).
I love that! "and moved into the neighborhood. So be on the lookout in your neighborhood and the places you go this week to show people the love of Christ.