Thoughts on "Just Walk Across the Room"

Do you ever stumble upon something in a book or a sermon or a blog post and think, That's exactly what I was thinking? It just happened to me--I've been searching for a fuller definition of the church's mission than just "making converts." Bill Hybels sums up "the daily goal of a follower of Christ" very well in his book Just Walk Across the Room:

to be acutely aware of God's activity in this world and to be willing for him to use me in accomplishing some part of it, be it large or small.

Both parts--being aware of God's work and being willing to be used in that same work--are often lacking in our lives. We need to know where God is working to bring his Kingdom into fullness, and we need to join him there. Our job is to bring the whole kingdom of God--that is, serving the whole person--into each person's life as far as they will let us.

This can be, as Hybels says, either "large or small": it may mean bringing them to Christ, or it may be performing a simple service. Not everyone is ready for instant conversion; we can preach the Gospel with words all we want, but we cannot force it past deaf ears. Sometimes all someone needs--or is ready for--is an act of service or friendship. Otherwise we might, as Andrew likes to say, "inoculate them against the Gospel."

But how can we know whether we need to share the Four Spiritual Laws or simply share a meal? The key, writes Hybels, is to be in tune with the Holy Spirit, and follow his direction. We're not in this alone; we have an Advocate and a Guide. If we follow his lead faithfully, we'll be able to provide the service that God wants us to provide. He knows people and their real needs far better than we do.

Hybels also points out that one of the purposes of the Son's incarnation was to be with us. Now that he is gone from this world, the task of simply being with people falls to us. We cannot be isolated; we must be mission-minded, focused outward and dedicated to being with others--sharing our presence and our love, and through us, the love of Christ.

Which begs the questions, How am I being with people around me? How am I extending the love of Christ to them? How am I bringing the Kingdom to bear in the lives of others? Am I following the lead of the Spirit and his guidance?

Vicit Agnus Noster