L-O-V-E others

L-O-V-E – This acrostic was presented as part of a marriage guidance series at our church and explained in detail by one of my bestest mentors (Thank you, Charlie.).

While this was applied to marriage, it seemed fitting to adapt it to one’s personal ministry. We are commanded by Jesus to love one another, so these principles support that directive.

L – Listen. Tune in and hear what the other person is saying, seeking, needing. Be present – full attention – in the conversation.

O – Overlook. Don’t let small things build into big problems. Let it go. Bygones are bygones.

V – Value. What a person says, or needs is very important to them. Adjust your mindset so you can value them and their situation.

E – Encourage. Encourage people to avoid sin and encourage them to continue moving forward in the growth in faith in Jesus.

My mentor summed up a simple definition of love – “meeting needs.”

1 John 4:16 (KJV) – “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Go L-O-V-E someone today.

3 Questions for now

Sometimes making a connection with people isn’t so easy, especially hardened non-believers.

They just don’t want to step outside their world and engage.

But we must persist. For all the times people ignore our friendly greetings or say “no” to any effort to share the Gospel with them, we must be kind and courteous and look for the next person.

As much as we try to “formulate” our greetings and sharing encounters, each opportunity is a new wild card in how things will turn out.

Here are questions that could help you connect:

• What role do friendships play in your life?

• What does it mean to be part of a community?

• Do you think everyone needs a sense of belonging to feel complete?

Try to ignite that spark of connectivity and see what happens.

Be kind. Love them. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

One mouth, two ears – make note

The first of the definitions in the L-O-V-E acrostic is simple – listen.

And for motormouths like me, it’s difficult to accomplish at times. I know the old saying about God giving us one mouth and two ears.

Listening is to me the most important.

And not just to listen – as in hear something that is said – but “listening” (an action) to the point that you hear what is said, but also understand what’s going on in the background with that person – the struggle, the pain, the cry for help (even if it’s just a quiet cry seeking forgiveness.

Then there is the “O.” You don’t want to get hung up judging or holding something against someone – you must overlook past mistakes, trespasses, sins.

For the “V,” everyone wants someone to respect or care about them – value who they are. Let them know you do care and that Jesus values them enough to die for them so they can live.

For the “E,” people just need some support in a world that beats them down. They may not even need an exact answer to what troubles them. They just need someone who truly cares to encourage them.

Back to listening, which leads us to all the other aspects of the acrostic.

Jesus was a great listener, and we are charged with following his example, modeling his methods and actions.

Part of being a great listener is asking great questions (not dominating the conversation with what we know or otherwise pastor-splaining). Questions help get to the heart of the matter – the issue, problem, concern, pain – for which the person is seeking help or guidance.

The world – made up of people – that surrounds us doesn’t listen well.

Every new technology or media platform is spewing out an opinion, “fact,” “truth,” or idea about what someone else has dictated as important. Everyone and everything has a point to prove so that the originator of whatever is said may be “understood.”

Few people in the world want to understand something about someone else. This applies to believers, Christians, who have been dubbed those who tell others what to do, but don’t listen.

We study theology, doctrine, counseling, finances, speech, bible study, our careers, etc., etc.

When have we ever taken a class on listening?

Proverbs 1:5 (KJV) – “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.”

Yet this skill – combined with all others – may serve us more than any higher degree, super-star faith conference training or the next blockbuster book of bible commentary.

What if we – as followers of Jesus – were less like the world and more like Christ? What if we worked to be great listeners?

Listening is loving, loving reveals Jesus.