John 4
Finding Common Ground with People!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, June 9.
Have you ever ended up having a meaningful conversation with someone you didn’t know very well? Have you ever initiated a spiritual conversation with someone that was difficult for you?
John 4 shares with us the story of Jesus’ unplanned conversation with a Samaritan woman who went midday to get her water from the well. The timing of her getting water, when the other women were not there, indicates she was a social outcast. But by the end of the story, this one conversation with Jesus transformed her life and she became the catalyst of change for her community. All because of what appears to be a circumstantial conversation that goes from a request of water to the offer of eternal life.
Jesus started the conversation on common ground. With a safe request in John 4:7, “Will you give me a drink?” While we see amazing, miraculous events unfold from this encounter, I just want us to dwell on this moment. For many of us, the biggest miracle would be to reach out to someone we don’t know to intentionally initiate a spiritual conversation with them.
It will change your life if you start training yourself to look for common ground with people instead of focusing on what is different about you and another person. Remember, you will always find what you are looking for. If you are looking for a bridge between you and another person, you will find it. If you are looking for a barrier, you will also find that.
Seize the moment and build bridges with people by looking for common ground with them. Ask God to give you open eyes and a willing heart to follow Jesus into a conversation. You never know how one spiritual conversation can transform a person’s life.
If you need any practical assistance or would like to receive a personal phone call, please dial the phone number below and someone from FBC will call you soon.