Meeting part 3
I think probably the best way to meet people where they're at is to invite them to dinner, so to speak. Because when the Bible describes God as love, the word "love" means "love feast." And there's nothing more inviting than coming over for free food. That also takes care of first in the natural then the Spiritual. When somebody's belly is grumbling, they can't hear anything but that emptiness--physical emptiness--inside them. But when someone has eaten, and they are feeling fat and sassy, that's when they might in a better position to hear you. Let me say it like this, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17). Did you catch that? The Spirit and the bride doesn't say, "Come... or else!" The Spirit and the bride say, "Come and get it!" The water of life is made available. If you're thirsty, if you want it, come and get it. We're not forcing people to come up to where we're at. We're not making people jump through hoops in order to get what they want--what they need. We're simply making it available. That's the whole point of Word Without Walls ministry. Making love available to people without restriction. Making it readily available. Making it a welcoming environment. Showing people that they can run TO God, instead of running FROM Him. We have to start presenting God correctly. As He is. Not scary. Not out to get us. But a loving heavenly Father. A love feast that satisfies our every desire and appetite. Look at Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Delight and desire. And the key is: God IS the desire of our heart. Because LOVE is what our heart desires. Period. Delighting in love is how we experience love. Because love is giving. Giving what you have. Giving who you are. Seeing a need in someone and meeting it, if you can meet it. That's what living out of abundance is all about. That's how we experience the gift we've been given. We give it away. We share it. Jesus came that we might have life, and that more abundantly. And love is what makes life abundant. Living out of our abundance is living a life of love. Letting God love us and loving each other with that same love. Giving what we've got. Giving what people need. Inviting them to dinner. And I mentioned the natural aspect of that, but you can have dinner with someone even if there's no natural food involved. You can break bread with someone. Meet with them. Connect with them. Give them your ear. Give them your heart. A hug. A Word (love) in season. Sometimes the smallest things are the biggest things. Because when you feel like you have nothing... listen. When its dark out, any glimmer of light is welcome. The brightness of the sun (SON). So, like, this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Show people what you have. Because what you have is what they need. Not making them jump through hoops, or have to earn anything. But making what you have available. Presenting it to them. Telling them to come and get it!