Lol! So Im sitting outside of my friends apartment trying to track down my breath after I lost it nearly an hour ago at the cross section of Are-We-Done-Yet and OMG! Jamie & I had just finished running (AND sprinting AND lunging AND doing push-ups AND you get the point - ungodly things!) when I decided to take a moment to breath again before trekking home (why didnt I drive over?). So, a stranger walks up while Im sitting at a picnic table, introduces himself as Ray, and passes me a pamphlet. He eventually asked if Id heard of the Jehovahs Witness org. I wittingly said, oh yeah, Im a witness for Jehovah too. He looked a little befuddled not expecting that response I guess. He then asked what it is that I do [in life]. Well, Ive never started a sentence with Im a minister because people sometimes trip over their own titles by feeling extra important or authoritative and Im not willing to be that guy, but this time I figured the title use would at least work to speed up the conversation. I was not in the mood to chat but didnt let on with Ray as to not seem rude or disturbed. Well, I serve in the music department at a local spiritual community, Ethnos Community Church, as well as travel around communicating who I am as a Jesus follower mostly through music and in moments like this. Do you know how much breath THAT took out of me to say all of those words AFTER ALL OF THOSE LAPS & LUNGES? Nonetheless, despite my feeling more introverted than extro in that moment, I gave him some talk-time. No, we didnt get into a spiritual boxing match nor cuss, fuss or discuss any differences or attempt to convert or convince one another of anything. But what we did do is something Im starting to do more with my neighbors - we coversed. I realized on my trek home that the purest form of transformation happens through real-life relationships (I may have heard this in church the other Sunday). While Ray & I may or may not ever see one another again, Im reminded of how important it is to engage the people in my community in real conversations. Conversing is the bridge to having authentic relationships. And true relationships help transform us. Case in point: My membership and role at Ethnos didnt start with me visiting the church or pursuing a gig. It started with a pastor, Yucan Chiu, who was a complete stranger at the time inviting me to meet up with him at Starbucks for coffee to talk life. A series of conversations led to my hesitantly applying for a partial time role as a music director at Ethnos. My role there has served as a bridge to my community (and the world really) & I am forever being transformed because of our strong desire to affect positive change starting right here in the world we live in - our local communities & workplaces. #WhosYourNeighbor?
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 16:34:15 +0000
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