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I recently returned from vacation with my family. We went to Orange Beach, AL, and it was awesome. We had plenty of beach time, some great dinners, and a balcony that overlooked the ocean. The waves, sun, and sound were amazing, but most important were the few days of relaxing family time before I head back to school and one of the craziest times of year for me.
While we were in Orange Beach, my wife and I hopped on the elevator heading up to our condo that we had rented and at the same time, a mother and her 12- or 13-year-old daughter also got onto the elevator. My wife and I stood in one corner while the mother and daughter stood in the other. Of course, in the COVID-19 world we now live in, we have all been trained not to speak on an elevator; we actually barely breathe. That’s just the reality we live in now. However, as the elevator stopped on the ninth floor and my wife and I went to exit, the young girl picked her head up, looked us dead in the eye, and said, “Have a nice day!”
As we headed to our door, I commented to my wife how nice that was. At the same time, I was extremely convicted that I wouldn’t have done that. I mean, I would have gone up on that elevator and never said a word. I would have gotten off the elevator and gone about my day and never even thought about those people whom I barely even looked at. Yet this young girl took the time to try and brighten our day. She took notice of the others around her. She acted like Jesus, and I was far from doing that.
I mean, what did Jesus do as he traveled around? He engaged people. He spoke to them; He noticed them; He reminded them that they mattered. Of course, He talked to family, friends, and the multitudes, but it was the individuals that he had never met in which He modeled how we should be. He talked to the woman at the well, to tax collectors, to fishermen, to children, to lepers, a centurion, and even as He was being crucified, He spoke to the thief next to Him. I’m sure there are several that I haven’t mentioned, but the point is that Jesus engaged people. He put them at ease and made them feel special. Are we Jesus? Certainly not, but God has made each of us relational creatures and has left it up to us what we do with that.
The key is that whatever way you fall on this, it is intentional. You will intentionally not speak to others, or intentionally engage others. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well. He intentionally engaged her even though she was a Samaritan and Jews didn’t speak to Samaritans. He was tired, probably not feeling His best after long travels, but He did it anyway. He didn’t come up with some excuse not to speak with her. He spoke to her, and it made a difference.
Now I’m not saying that every time we speak to some stranger it will be a “woman at the well” experience. When that young lady spoke to my wife and me as we exited the elevator, the heavens didn’t move, but a smile came on our faces. We took notice that she had made an effort to brighten our day, to take notice of us. After all, in Matthew, Jesus sent us forth to be a light in the world. He calls on us to interact with people and maybe this is how we start: a minor thing that shows God’s love shining through. I know that the girl in the Orange Beach elevator caused me to take notice of my shortcomings and want to be better. I have made a commitment to do a better job at engaging others and being intentional about showing God’s love through simple smiles and words that uplift people. Maybe if we start here, God will use this, and us, in so many ways we can’t even imagine. So until next time, have a nice day!
Another very well written article. Thought behind this one is great. We definitely need to engage in a more intentional way and more often. I like “God bless you“ better than have a nice day. Everyone says have a nice day.
I think God bless you makes a bigger spiritual impact and we still are openly engaging with others. Back specifically to your blog, it was fantastic once again Son.