For the first time in a long time, I have some extra time during the week to play with my schedule.  So, I went to the local bagel shop to sit & eat & think. 

I can’t tell you the last time I went out, by myself, to sit & eat & think. 

Only one other table was occupied; two guys were eating “in” while everyone else was on the “grab & go” plan.  That made it very hard to not overhear their conversation.  If the place was packed and I was surrounded by conversations, I could tune them all out.  This morning, those guys became voices in my head. 

Please don’t judge me.  You’ve been on a plane or in a restaurant or next to someone on the phone, and they became literal voices in your head. 

They were’ talking about church. 

I know their church.  And, they were talking about all the same problems every church talks about. 

  • Developing a culture of prayer
  • Helping the church “feel” like a family
  • Moving people from attending church to following Jesus

There is nothing new under the sun. 

In the summer of 2012, we were missionaries setting out to fulfill the Great Commission in our community.  Quickly, three objectives stood before us like the Rocky Mountains rise up out of the plains as your drive west across Colorado. 

  1. How many people are coming?
  2. How much money are they giving?
  3. Who has leadership potential?

We rolled up our sleeves and went to work answering these questions.  You’re getting this email because you have prayed for & supported us in this work.  You went “on mission” with us.  THANK YOU! 

Now, I want to answer a different question. 

Luke 10 flips many traditional ideas for disciple-making upside down.  To paraphrase, Luke 10 says…

  • Lots of people are spiritually hungry – the harvest is plentiful.
  • Ask God to send more workers – pray earnestly.
  • Search for people of peace – look with singular focus for them.
  • When you find them, stay with them – pour your life into their life.

This flips traditional thinking upside down because…

  • We think we need to “convince” people to be spiritually hungry.
  • We expend way too much energy trying to “create” people of peace.

Jesus is already changing hearts: softening them & awakening a hunger in them.  Jesus says go look for where I’m already at work; look with laser-like focus. 

  • If you don’t find them where you’re looking, move on & keep praying.
  • When you do find them, stop, pour your life into their life & don’t move on.

Perhaps you’re thinking this isn’t all that different from what you’re doing.  Maybe it’s not really that big a deal; nothing’s been turned on its head. 

For me, the difference is profound. 

I’ve worked very hard, just like those two guys in the bagel shop, trying to convince or arm-twist people to appreciate & participate in the church? 

A paradigm is changing in my heart. 

Will you pray for me?  You not obligated to pray; your job is done.  You can “unsubscribe” and say “mission accomplished” with a clear conscience.  You’re welcome to stop eaves-dropping on the conversation inside my head. 

If you’re willing, would you pray something different for me?  Pray the Holy Spirit leads me to people of peace & houses of peace.  Pray that I go looking for & finding people of people of peace instead of banging my head against stubborn hearts trying to make people of peace. 

With thanksgiving in Christ for your faithfulness,

Ron Smith