Dear Grace Family,

When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation with someone in your family, with someone who is a close friend, with someone you work with, go to school with, someone you only know casually? Would your answer change if you were asked when you had your last meaningful conversation about Christian faith? My answer would change.

I have meaningful conversations on a regular basis with others about health, about jobs, about relationships. But something changes, something is elevated, more alive for me, when the subject of the discussion turns to Jesus. I love those moments. It takes a level of trust for those conversations to go well. It takes a level of compassion and honesty too. When mutual respect and honesty is offered the relationship moves deeper and future discussions are often better, more genuine, more freeing.

Christian faith has never relied on, and I believe never will rely on, big marketing campaigns, impersonal ads, generic appeals. It has always advanced, changed hearts and minds, as a result of personal relationships, one life sharing with another the miracle of Jesus. It requires being a good listener even more than being a good talker.

And, more importantly, it requires a connection with the Holy Spirit. When we are wondering, “is this the time to talk about Jesus?” we pray, we wait, we listen, and the Holy Spirit leads. Unless the Holy Spirit opens a door our efforts will prove futile … or worse. We trust He is present with us. He is working behind the scenes in us, and in the lives of those we are talking to. That relieves all pressure. He is the only One who can accomplish anything of eternal value in our life, and theirs. He will, in His timing, take what we say, and the relationships we have, and breathe life into the embers of distracted, disconnected, or dead souls.

He has been good to us. And, patient. What a privilege to be invited to cooperate with Him as He introduces Himself to others.

In Christ,
Curt McFarland