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Daily Recharge
Mal Fletcher
Winning Friends
18 April 2024
Luke 19:5-6 ?When Jesus reached the spot [where Zacchaeus was sitting in a tree], he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.' (NIV)
The Beatles wrote their song ?Eleanor Rigby' back in the 60s, but they could have been writing about people today. Especially the chorus: ?All the lonely people, where do they all come from? All the lonely people, where do they all belong?' It's ironic that in the so-called age of communication so many people are struggling with intense feelings of loneliness and alienation. If you're a Christian believer, you have within you the same Holy Spirit that empowered the life of Jesus, the most magnetic personality in history. That's not to say that you'll never feel alone – in fact, being a person of strong faith can sometimes make you very unpopular. However, learning to live like Jesus will also produce qualities that make you more interesting to other people. One key to building friendships is to elevate other people, just as Jesus did. The Bible says a great deal about honouring our fellow man. To honour people means to elevate them in your own eyes, to look upon them with respect. When you can show other people that you feel you can learn from them, you will have a better chance of winning their friendship. This is not manipulation. As a Christian you can make the other person feel important because you know that they are! They're important to God. Avoid flattery, but pursue sincere appreciation and look for ways to offer positive words of encouragement. It will break down walls and make friendship easier.
Prayer: ?Lord, help me today to take a genuine interest in the needs and concerns of other people.'
© Mal Fletcher 2003-2004
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