How approachable are you?
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When it comes to abilities, one of the greatest abilities a believer can possess is "approachability." Christians need to be approachable. There was no one who ever lived who was more approachable than Jesus. People flocked to Him.
Those on the fringes, the outcasts and the 'undesirables,' were attracted to Him. He was accessible and available, and when people met Him they always found a friend who would welcome them and seek to meet their needs.
Unlike Charlie Brown who was famous for speaking those words, "I love mankind, it's just people I can't stand," Jesus loved people, and it was this welcoming quality that caused people to come to Him.
Are you and I approachable? Do people look forward to being in our presence? Are we open and friendly and good at making people feel welcome and comfortable when they are with us?
Approachable people possess the quality of humility. Being humble, they recognize they are not above anyone else.
They are non-judgmental. They don't judge people; they simply love them just as Jesus did.
And finally, they are kind. They make time for people and go out of their way to make them feel special. It is true as Christian Bovee writes, "Kindness is the language the deaf and hear and the blind can see," and kind people should always be looking for opportunities to make life easier for others.
As you walk through life today, I encourage you to look for ways to make yourself approachable. Be on the lookout for opportunities to invite others into your life.
Jesus invited everyone to be His friend. He welcomed them into His life saying, "Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
 | Tom Crenshaw serves as Connections Pastor of the New Monmouth Baptist Church (non denominational) where he previously served as a three year interim.He has been married to Jean for almost 50 years, and they have four children, all of whom are teachers.Tom loves perennial gardening, umpiring high school baseball, coaching baseball and football, fishing for small mouth bass, rooting for his favorite team, the Cleveland Indians, and listening to ‘real’ country music, the classic kind. Learn More » |
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- Read the room to lead the room (by Jenni Catron)
