People Watching

Does anyone else enjoy watching people as you go through daily and mundane experiences? I do. I also enjoy the occasional random and totally sporadic conversation with a complete stranger (as long
As I'm not in a hurry!) There are so many people, so many ways of living and doing things. Such diversity God has created and allowed. While I disagree with some of the diversity, it is amazing to see how crazy different people are from each other and even the differences within groups. It's fascinating.

Having said that, I had a conversation with someone that came
Back to mind today while I was at Hampden Fest today. The person who was discussing diversity with me came to the conclusion that when talking to strangers we should do our best to put Christ in the conversation. While, sometimes this is simple because of the questions people tend to ask when I don't know them (and when I do!) sometimes it is now so simple and slightly obnoxious. I don't always bring religion, faith, and Christ into all of my familiar people conversation, so why would I automatically throw religion and faith into a conversation with a stranger. Evangelism they say. It's a great opportunity. Personally, in those moments, I've had the spirit tell me to talk about faith and I've also felt that sometimes is good to show people that an openly religious person doesn't always have o shove religion down your throat while talking. Sometimes interactions are to show that people are people and you can enjoy a conversation that doesn't revolve around faith.

I think this is important because if every conversation you have ends or begins with something so personal and possibly offensive, you may push the person away without meaning to. I believe we don't often listen to the spirit directing our conversations. If someone is open and ready to hear about Jesus, normally the talking leads that way. If they're not ready, it could be worse for them.

Conversing with diverse people doesn't always involve evangelism. In fact, my whole point here is... How can I assume that they need Jesus. Maybe they have a relationship with Jesus already! Who am I to judge them by the way they are living or look? I may think one thing, but I also don't know them personally. I think sometimes discussing things with strangers allows us to find out about other groups and people who live differently than myself. I enjoy the diversity and I don't necessarily want to try and change the person. I love other cultures and people
Groups. I also know that when the spirit leads me to speak boldly for Him and His salvation I need to be bold and follow that call.... But that call isn't there for every interaction on the street. Stop seeing people as projects and see them as fellow humans... And wait for a nudge from God to proceed to a topic many people view as private and inappropriate to discuss- especially with Strangers.

I've learned over the years that often times we can learn the most through our interactions with those we think we have more to offer. Often times they offer us more than we do to them. And that's ok. It's ok. Love and live.