Reaching Out

The phrase "reaching out to people" is kind of a "church word."  We use the phrase all the time, but how often do we actually reach out to people?  What does that even mean?  Who is supposed to do the reaching?

I have recently discovered that it is not my job to wait around and wait for people to reach out to me.  For years, I went to my church every Sunday and waited for people to reach out to me.  I did my share of trying to start conversations here and there, but I never tried very hard to befriend anyone because I was a new-comer and figured that it was their job to befriend me.

After waiting for the past several years for people to try to get to know me, it was time for me to start trying to get to know them.  I don't have any really close friends at church, but I am getting to know some of the younger girls.  I have had the privilege of becoming (unofficially) a "table leader" in my Sunday school class.  What this means is that I am able to be a part of these girls lives every Sunday morning.  I love teaching and pouring into younger kids, and I am able to do both of those things by being a table leader.

I remember very clearly the first girl that ever talked to me at church.  I was in the third grade and had been going to my new church for at least a month before any of the girls approached me.  It made a huge impression on me for this girl to talk to me because I had been so lonely before.  Remembering the way I felt so many times when I had no one to talk to on Sunday mornings, I have begun to seek out those with no one to talk to.  It is amazing the effect you can have on someone with such a small effort.  I love making people's days by just a few simple words and a smile.  I hope that I can make an impression on someone by taking the time to talk with them for a few minutes.

I have been amazed at the way my outlook has changed because of the way that my actions and attitudes have changed!  My eyes have been opened to some of the work that God has been doing in my life, and guess what!  I have started to get to know some young people at my church!  I hope that God will use me in the lives of others around me because of the new attitudes that He has given me.

So, what does it mean to reach out to people?
Do what it takes to get them involved!  Don't let people sit there on the sidelines and be too cool to talk to them.  You never know when a few simple words can make someones day.  It might even make your day if you take the time to show some of Christ's love to someone!

Who should reach out to people?
You should!  If everyone sits around waiting for someone else to reach out to them, then no one will reach out to anyone.  Take that step and reach out to someone around you.  Ask them about their day.  Give them a hug.  It can even be as simple as giving someone a smile.  It isn't hard!  Sometimes, it really doesn't take much to show someone the love of God.

I challenge you to ask God how He wants you to reach out to the people around you.  Not only will it encourage that person, but you never know, you may learn something from the experience!