How Can You Connect with Others?

How Can You Connect with Others?

Yesterday, I had the privilege of sharing with business leaders about the importance of connecting with their clients and customers. Today, I am thinking about you. I wonder if you are aware how important it is that youconnect with others?

It is so easy to isolate ourselves.

It is so easy to stay inside our comfort zone.

It is so easy to focus on our desires, and miss opportunities that God is giving us to impact lives.

What if we intentionally began connecting with others – not so we could grow our circle of friends – but so we could share Jesus with them?

(Pause… let that last sentence sink in, read it one more time.)

To the girl who is squirming right now because thinking about connecting with others makes you extremely uncomfortable – can I encourage you? If you “don’t look out for your own interests, but take an interest in others” (Philippians 2:4), you will start expanding the limits of that comfort zone. All the good stuff happens outside your comfort zone and remember, God is with you. The 2 of you together can connect with others.

 

What are some things you can do to connect?

1.        Make a good first impression.

  • First impressions are formed in 1/10 of a second. And if you make a bad first impression it takes a lot to overcome it. So be intentional to be friendly, welcoming, encouraging and happy to meet others.

  • Be on time. It is rude to make people wait on you. If you are late – apologize. If they are late – offer grace.

  • Dress appropriately – no matter what. We don’t have to dress up and we don’t have to look like a vagabond. Don’t let how you dress cause them to start making wrong assumptions about you. (Yikes!) We can honor God in how we dress and still be cute and comfortable.

2.        Have engaging conversation

  • ·Be mindful of how you present yourself. Don’t slouch, fold your arms across your chest, or prop your chin on your fist. It will appear you are uninterested.

  • Smile! A lot! “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

  • Ask about them. (Pay attention – are you talking about yourself and they look uninterested?)

  • Be encouraging, positive, gracious, loving, kind, and show appreciation. Who doesn’t want to be around someone like that?

  • Be authentic – no need to pretend or boast or oversell. Be you – just be the best of who God created you to be. NOTE: You are His masterpiece! (Ephesians 2:10)

  • Don’t know what to say. It’s okay. Quietly pray, “HELP!” And He will be faithful to help you.

·     3.        Establish Intentional Practices

  • Every morning ask God to use you to influence others for the Kingdom!

  • Serve others (Jesus served, so we should serve.) Let others go first, pick up what they drop, let them have the parking spot, smile, wave, all as you let the Holy Spirit prompt you.)

  • Be about your Father’s business. Why does He have you in this situation? How does He want to use you? What would He have you to do?

  • Pray for others – out loud, right then. Yep. It may be uncomfortable at first, but nothing could mean more to the one hurting. Tell God you’re willing and He will open your eyes to all the opportunities. Keep it short and sweet as you pray softly so only they can hear.

  • Decide that you are going to be obedient and love others. Then go love others. Watch what God will do with that. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34

  • Shine your light on social media. We often think of the evils of social media – but light shines best in darkness. Post scriptures, fun stories, links to worship songs, etc. Talk about what God is teaching you. Never post rants or negative talk and don’t be political. Let’s pray for God’s will to be done, for people to come to Him, and for Him to receive all the glory. (Remember, we are believers - we love others, submit to authority, and do what Jesus would do.)

 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16

 

Shine your light so bright you set the world on fire for Jesus!

 

Love you!

Pam

Pam PegramComment