So, Christmas season is behind us. You attended office parties, neighborhood parties, or family gatherings where, no doubt, you interacted with people who are not yet in touch with the reality of all we just celebrated.

Now, if you have somehow passed through the past month with no social interactions with people who are not Christ-followers, the next few blog posts may be an encouragement to you. One distinctive of every true follower of Christ is seen in Jesus’ invitation to a few of his first followers (who happened to be fishermen): “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Matthew 4:19).

Over the next few posts we’ll look at some simple tools to help you begin to engage with those God has placed in your lives, for His purposes. It helps me to remember—nothing happens by accident. Those people I encounter in the “normal pathways of my life” are there by His perfect design and purpose.

Tool #1 –  Make them take notice!

The apostle Peter, in writing to some believers in his day, may have been the first to put this in writing:

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (1 Peter 2:12).

Ok, let’s get practical. Consider the past month:

• What “not-yet-believing” people did you interact with?
• Did any of them have needs in their lives that could use help or prayer?
• What small thing could you do for one or two people to love them in the name of Christ?

ACTION: Remember, it may be as small as praying for them and dropping a note letting them know that you’ve been thinking of them and have prayed for them. It may be something a bit more, like bringing them a meal, offering to give them a ride somewhere, pick up some groceries for them or doing something around their house that you are good at and they aren’t.