Missional One-liners!

My humor often includes a double meaning. I often say to a waitress, "I am fed up now." I also say, as I cash out my ticket, “I came in with an appetite but lost it!” These type of statements have clear double meanings. 

My one-liner statement means that I am full but it can sound negative. In much of my humor I try to weave ways that create a relationship. I love to find connections with people. Asking who they know that I might also know. Trying to discover where they grew up as an attempt to known if we have anything in common. Building trust happens through a relational context.

Classic one-liners are common for many people. My family often says it has to do with my age. I find myself no longer able to prevent the oddly timed jokes. I hope I have not totally lost my filter that happens as you age. My adult kids still feel awkward as they take two steps back from me when I blurt out a dad joke. 

Surprisingly, recently my 32 year old son, now with two children of his own, blurts out silly dad jokes and even talks to strangers. Even his 6 and 7 year old children roll their eyes. What is black and white and “read” all over? Of which even his kids say, “I don’t get it.” (Having grown up with electronics and tablets they no longer read from newspapers or books.) You might even grown at that kind of humor!

The purpose is not lost in the silly humor one-liners. The efforts are intended to build a connection and a relationship that’s meaningful. You might even say that it is a missional one-liners strategy. The end result is hopefully they gained friendship through a friendly smile. Sometimes through silly humor and sometimes through poorly timed jokes yet, the goal is still the same. The goal is to develop an initial relationship that may provide an on-going friend.

Nevertheless, truth matters. In the midst of the poorly timed humor and effort is made to be genuine and friendly. It’s an effort doesn’t require much thinking as you  engage in conversation. Whether the person is your cashier at a checkout or co-worker, a simple effort might turn a smile and provide a bit of levity in the ongoing chore of work. I love the sign I spotted one that reads, “The most important things in life aren’t things at all.” I would add, they are valued relationships.

Authentic relationships matter. They are built on truth and trust. Together, these are values that people need in their day-to-day lives. Humor is a soft answer that can defuse a tense moment or an awkward moment. There are times when our witness of Christ can even demonstrate care for another. I often asks waitresses or store merchants how can I pray for them. It is amazing how open people are. They usually share deep and heart-felt prayer requests; to even me, a stranger.

The Bible makes it clear that Truth matters. You don't ever have to wonder if GOD loves you because it is clear! God wants a relationship with you that provides eternal life through God's Son. (John 3:16) We also find that when Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples (John 14) that He was going to go and prepare a place for them and he would receive them unto himself in a future tense. They clearly marked the value of a relationship.

The relationship that God wants to have with each and everyone is that of both personal and impactful. 

Why does Truth matter? Where do you go for Truth? How can you create an authentic and valued relationship in another? Who do you cross paths with, though a stranger, that you can encourage and witness the Truth of God’s love?

And Then There Were Four!

I don’t know what it would be like to stand completely alone, not just isolated but on my own. There have been times when I felt alone but I was in the presence of many others. There of been times that my opinions had to stand by itself. Those were very different feelings than those who stand completely alone. 

I am perhaps like most of you. We wait for a crowd to gather before we decide to join them. There is perhaps a level of courage to be among the crowd but it’s not the same as being an individual opposite the crowd.

Perhaps, we feel like King David when he felt alone. Often we read of his complaint. The enemy was against him many occasions. His war-like rhetoric is compelling as we read through the Psalms. Many times he cried out to God feeling alone. There is a level of melancholy but David exhibited throughout his leadership. Even his own son stood in opposition to him as he stood isolated from the popularity of the crowd.

“Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God.” Psalms‬ ‭38:21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I think of political leaders and heroes of the faith who stood all alone against the popularity of the crowd. Patriarchs of the church like Martin Luther or John Wesley or John Calvin, who stood alone. Individuals like Wycliffe or Tyndale whose strong belief was credited to them by historians. At that time, they were stood alone.

I can only imagine what it was like for them. I like the comforts afforded to me in this country. Many who stand in tremendous opposition to dictators are to be credited with tremendous courage! I can only imagine.

I pray that I would have the courage to stand alone if I needed to. Sure, there are strong opinions and persuasive arguments that I could make which might put me in the crosshairs of opposition. Nevertheless, those are simply “fleabites“ in comparison to the real heroes of the faith! 

We live in a time where popular thought dictates! Truth is hidden and hard to discover amidst all the noise of the media, both national and personal social media channels. 

David narrated a Psalm that perhaps speaks to this like none other. He provides truth on how to live a blessed life. While it’s not a life empty of conflict or trouble yet or it is demonstrated by the presence of God in our lives. (Psalm 1; Psalm 37)

You recall the story of the three who stood in opposition to the king? These three Hebrew men would not bow to the idol of the king. Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3) were thrown into the fiery furnace. Their ways were to be canceled and destroyed completely. Of course we know that the story did not end there.

Even the king noticed that in the furnace we’re not just three men but a fourth was present with them. Who was it? It was the presence of God in their midst. He walked with them through the fire. Even king Nebuchadnezzar saw what appeared to be “like that of the son of God.” 

Doesn’t it sound like best of all great novels? 

Even though it wasn’t popular, it was the right thing to do. These men were filled with integrity, having aligned their faith with the living God!