It takes longer than you think

The hope of a new relationship brings with it a whole truck of emotions. Packed with furniture, memories, and wounds from past relationships. We have a whole framework that we bring into a developing friendship that we might not even be aware of.

For me, it was the hope that this time it would be different. That others would respond differently, and that I could open our table and others would plop down hungry for relationships and more.  But it takes longer to break through their walls than you might think.

When we seek to live missionally, we have to resist the temptation to pursue quick fixes and immediate results. Instead, we can approach it as a farm hand there to help for the entire season, diligently taking part of our section of the field knowing there is a greater plan being worked out. It starts with removing the rocks from our plot of land and getting the soil ready for seeds, followed closely by planting. Then a long season of waiting, praying, hoping until eventually we see the first sprouts poking up out of the ground. It will take an entire season to see the fruit of our initial labour, with no guarantee of payoff.

Our missional work is the same way. The field is our own lives, allowing God to work in us, as we plant seeds. We cannot approach others from a perspective of a project, but to faithful in relationship and diligent in pursuing them. Even when we find silence and a plethora of ‘not right now” standing in our way.

The work is rewarding, because there will be a crop to harvest. It probably won’t happen on the timeline that you think, however.

Weekly Practice: Diligence

Who are the people that you are inviting around your table? How long are you willing to be diligent in pursuing a relationship with them? A week? A month? A year? 3 years? 5? Every individual and family backs their own truck up and dumps it out in the yard, and for many that is loaded with broken pasts, hopes and dreams. Engaging in a new relationship seems overwhelming.

This is where the eyes and heart of God are important. He patiently waited for the right time to send His son. In the face of overwhelming rejection, Jesus didn’t turn away from his duty, but became nothing. God is diligent.

Here’s the practice for this week:

Write down 5 names of individuals/couples/families that are in your network, but don’t know Jesus. Pray for them everyday, and commit to touching base with them once a week for the next year (52 times!). You might see the sprout immediately, but it might also bear little fruit even in the course of a year.

Sharing the Meal is an act of opening our own hearts, God will take care of the rest.