The Call to Real Communication

I have a trait where I find myself waiting on others to come up to me, open the door for communication, and spark a possible friendship. I stand around, waiting. I often let excuses cloud my ability to bridge the gap I long to shorten. I allow myself to become focused on myself, what others are thinking of me, and attempt to avoid rejection at all costs. 

I am sure I am not alone. 

I see it in our world daily. The prevalence of conversation between strangers face to face diminishes as we increase our likelihood to scroll on our phones as a drop of discomfort enters the atmosphere. But what if we flipped this new narrative and returned to the behavior of humanity before we were obsessed with our digital footprint?

Trust me, I am far from this lifestyle myself, but everyday is a new beginning. Everyday you gain a new opportunity to face the fear from yesterday that may have held you back from a new opportunity. 

1 Peter 4:8-10, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 

When we shift our mindset to what others may think of us and onto serving and loving one another, the fear of man begins to subside. I personally long to reach a place where I will not allow others’ possible reactions to prevent me from loving someone the way Jesus loves us. 

John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Jesus commanded us, not suggested, commanded us to love one another as He loves us. I believe our world would begin to look a little less hateful and a lot more loving if we got out of our selfish tendencies and began to walk in selfless love. After all, if I am going to say I want others to approach me, shouldn’t I be just as willing to approach them: “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” Luke 6:31. 

I encourage you to reflect on where you can improve your ability to love others. Where can you unplug from the electronic world and plug into the real world? Maybe set a new goal for this month, get out of your comfort zone, and truly find dependance on the strength of the Lord. He did not say it would be easy, but then again, when is easy any fun?