Promise

As I've been preparing to do the live prayer time this morning on the word "Promise," I was reminded of something I wrote in my journal probably 3 or so years ago.

"...how else can I touch the deepest depths of someone's soul if I don't open up myself to them..."

I think we often get it wrong when it comes to evangelism and outreach. Doing good work and then wondering why the parents of children in our daycare programs don't come to church or feeding and housing people in need doesn't translate to any of them visiting Bible study shouldn't be a surprise. How often do we receive good service at a restaurant and feel like coming back to build a friendship with the wait staff? When was the last time the checkout experience at the grocery store was so positive and inviting that a customer committed themselves to adding the cashier to their Christmas card list?

What if we promised to God and ourselves to make the good work vulnerable work? Not to overshare and take on the world's problems ourselves, but to be good friends and neighbors who express care for the body, mind, and spirit of others. Such a promise means we give up some personal comforts and make repeat invitations (even after being ignored and declined time and again) to connection and relationship. Notice I didn't say invitations to worship or Bible study. These are experiences that MIGHT be part of an invitation, but it is the knowing of one another that matters most. It is the "yes" to Jesus to be more like him in this world, the embodiment of Christ, so that others may come to know the God we know.

God knows us and yet persists in inviting us to be in relationship with the ultimate of divine love. So it should be with how we love and serve, leading others to Christ by purposeful relationship-building, and keeping our promise to Jesus as we seek to grow the community of faithful followers all along the way.

2 Corinthians 1:20

All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.

The next time you pray "....in Jesus' name. Amen." let it be not just out of habit, but out of the understanding that Jesus is the ultimate promise and promise keeper. Stand firm when you next promise to support your church ministry of love, care, and service to the community. The reality is if the community doesn't know you as a person, you can't expect them to want to come to know you as a church.