Right now, we are in a season where it is difficult to be intentional with others, whether you're an introvert or an extravert. Today I want to share with you a few simple ways to be intentional with others. But first, why should we be intentional with others?
God commands us to first love Him and second love others as ourselves. Scripture makes it clear that we are to care for and love one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." God created us as relational beings and it is not good for us to isolate ourselves for too long. While we can't meet together in person and our calendars are looking barer, it is no excuse to neglect the people we would normally talk to on a regular basis.
Here are a few simple ways to "meet together" and encourage one another in love:
I personally have been doing many virtual meetings with my Bible study and other small groups I am a part of. However, like I said above, my favorite way to be intentional with others recently has been praying for them. This is the easiest thing to do, the quickest, and there is the opportunity for growth in several ways.
Not only do you become more intentional with others, but you are also being intentional with your prayer life and relationship with Jesus as well (we all love to multitask right?) As you can see below, I started with a cute tin and wrote several names of people in my life on sticky notes and placed the papers into the tin. On another colored sticky note, I wrote specific prayer requests I have received from people and names of larger groups of people, like "high school seniors" for example. Every day I pick out a note at random and pray for that person. You could even text that person and let them know you are praying for them as well. This allows you to check-in to see if they have any specific requests as well. The prayers don't have to be long or intensive. I have my tin sitting on my desk and try to pray for someone every day.
I want to encourage you to pray for someone this week and step outside your comfort zone a little to be intentional with someone. It is scary to put yourself out there but I promise you it could make all the difference to the other person to have someone reach out and be intentional with them.
I believe in you and I'm praying for you.
- e.k.
God commands us to first love Him and second love others as ourselves. Scripture makes it clear that we are to care for and love one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." God created us as relational beings and it is not good for us to isolate ourselves for too long. While we can't meet together in person and our calendars are looking barer, it is no excuse to neglect the people we would normally talk to on a regular basis.
Here are a few simple ways to "meet together" and encourage one another in love:
- Meet virtually: whether through Zoom, Facetime, Google Hangouts, Skype- the possibilities are endless nowadays!
- Meet in person (at a safe distance): you can talk in someone driveway or park in a circle in a big parking lot to eat some take out, this is great if you live nearby and are an extravert missing seeing people face-to-face
- Have a simple phone call: don't want to be seen? an old fashion phone call will do the trick
- Send a text: a simple "How have you been doing?" will get the conversation started and you get the chance to be real and honest with one another
- Write them an old fashion letter: snail mail is great because you can get creative with making a card or drawing a picture, this truly shows intentionality and love to someone
- Send them a package: this can be something you put together or you can order them something online and have it shipped to their house, can vary in size and cost depending on what you're going for
- Pray for them: this one is my favorite as an introvert because I don't even have to bother the person to be intentional in praying for them
I personally have been doing many virtual meetings with my Bible study and other small groups I am a part of. However, like I said above, my favorite way to be intentional with others recently has been praying for them. This is the easiest thing to do, the quickest, and there is the opportunity for growth in several ways.
Not only do you become more intentional with others, but you are also being intentional with your prayer life and relationship with Jesus as well (we all love to multitask right?) As you can see below, I started with a cute tin and wrote several names of people in my life on sticky notes and placed the papers into the tin. On another colored sticky note, I wrote specific prayer requests I have received from people and names of larger groups of people, like "high school seniors" for example. Every day I pick out a note at random and pray for that person. You could even text that person and let them know you are praying for them as well. This allows you to check-in to see if they have any specific requests as well. The prayers don't have to be long or intensive. I have my tin sitting on my desk and try to pray for someone every day.
I want to encourage you to pray for someone this week and step outside your comfort zone a little to be intentional with someone. It is scary to put yourself out there but I promise you it could make all the difference to the other person to have someone reach out and be intentional with them.
I believe in you and I'm praying for you.
- e.k.
Hello a sister in the Lord . I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I did enjoyed going through your blog post on "Being intentional with others. and simple ways to meet together and encourage one another in love. I even liked the last sentence at the end of your post " I believe in you and I'm praying for you" This assurance to your post readers is very encouraging and this is the reason I love knowing names of the peoople to be intentional with others. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouaraged strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 41yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokeneharted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have you come with your friends to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure yo u will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. god's richest blessings to you your family and friends aslo wishing you a blessed and a Christ centered rest of the year 2020. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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