Lately, I’ve noticed the rushed nature of those around me. People dart pass me in the grocery store aisles. While driving down the highway, angry drivers shoot by if I’m not driving fast enough. Even in conversation, I can see the internal clock ticking away as the other person is thinking of ways to exit the discussion. What is it that keeps us from truly connecting? Why are we in such a hurry? This leads me to question: do people even care?
The irony is that people are lonelier than ever. This loneliness doesn’t stem from the lack of access. With personal hot spots in our pockets, we are able to talk with other people across the world. Our minds are conditioned for instant gratification. If we want to know the year a movie was released, then we Google it. If we are hungry, then we can have a meal brought to our door. If we want a date for a single night, there’s a site for that. The art of conversation is lost, because deeper connection takes time. It requires us to slow down and truly listen to the other person. The focus must change from inward to outward. I believe this is extremely difficult because society caters to self-obsession. This shouldn’t surprise me and yet I’m still amazed at the behaviors of others. The Bible predicts this happening in the last days. Men will be lovers of self. As Christians, we are called to live at a higher standard.
It’s so easy to allow selfishness to be the default setting. After all, the rest of the world is doing it. In reality, it’s more difficult extending love to someone who responds selfishly or unlovingly. So, how can we walk in love? Our biggest example comes in the person of Jesus Christ. He displayed sacrificial love on the cross for a world that rejected Him. Needless to say, we are not dying for people but the concept is the same. Being willing to give of yourself for the needs of others. Loving someone despite how they treat you. The Holy Spirit inside gives us the power to love supernaturally. As our relationship with God grows, our capacity for love grows.
So, what are some practical ways that we can show that we care? It’s really quite simple. I truly believe people desire deep connection. They want to be seen and heard genuinely. Showing love is taking time to listen to a person. It’s remembering a special day. Or maybe it’s noticing that they’re feeling sad. Might I present a challenge to you? Engage with someone that you don’t normally talk to? Pause long enough to ask them about their day, and hear their answer. In a fast paced world, this small gesture will make a heap of difference. When we show that we care, it opens the door to tell them about the One who cared enough to give His life.
Be encouraged! :)
Written by Christa Martina
FB page: See Martina Write
Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NLT) “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.”
1 John 3:14-16 (NLT) “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
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