I was in a hurry today, went to eat lunch, had to sit at the counter. > After about two minutes another guy sat next to me.
We have this sense of space and anything closer than about three to four feet is a bit abnormal and can be uncomfortable. Generally, people feel like they HAVE to say something…
but do not want to.

I tend to speak to people at these times.

In these circumstances….if you feel the PUSH to speak….you should.
If you resist and neglect the PUSH, you are silencing what could be an important moment in your life, or the life of the person next to you.

The biblical reference says not to “quench” this PUSH.

I asked the guys name, told him mine. Commented on the crowd at the restaurant.
He said he had not been to this establishment in years.
I told him to come back for breakfast and try the french toast, which I believe is the best in town.

Just simple conversation.

I then asked him the “man-question”….. “What do you do?”

Simple, general, everyday question.
He told me.
Seeing that we were roughly in the same age group I mentioned that many guys our age are aimed at retiring.
He nodded. I told him I loved what I do and do not plan on retiring.
He said that his current occupation used to be his hobby… therefore he would not retire because his hobby was now what he did everyday.
We talked about how liking what you do, along with being healthy is essential to working and not retiring.

I said what I say often….that the Bible says nothing about retiring. Retiring might be restricting the workmanship placed within you and it might be failing the gifts and talents we are meant to fulfill.

He then mentioned his health and how several years ago he had suffered injuries from a car wreck where a drunk driver hit him head-on. He talked about how the health issues restrict him at times.

General conversation with someone I had never met, ten minutes before…now was leading to this stranger telling me a very personal part of his history.

The PUSH I had felt earlier came into clear vision as my new acquaintance revealed some of the struggle he had with his earlier job and how it lead him to change things.

I then told him I would pray that his health improve.

He then said he believed that prayer works and he would appreciate the thoughts.
Then he told me he believed in prayer and that he followed Christ.

I had just met someone I had never known, that I would now know forever.

Never once did I refer to my Church or that he needed to do anything. I responded to the PUSH.

Respond to the PUSH.

Speak to people who come into close contact with you.

Never restrict what might be a vitally important moment in a life.
It’s not for you to judge why the PUSH occurred, it’s not yours to rationalize that you might be bothering or interfering with someone’s day.

What happened to the “women at the well” when she was spoken to? > Did she generate the conversation?

What occurred to the short, tax collector when he was told he would be hosting guests for Dinner?

Lives were forever altered.
Simple conversations can bring eternal changes.

It’s just engaging another in everyday dialogue …..
and allowing the knowledge and workmanship in you to be revealed.

Do not neglect the PUSH.

Just talk to those around you.
Allow what’s in you to come out.

These conversations are the most fundamental aspect of what The Nazarene did and what He desires those who have received His Workmanship to share.

Terry
October, 2015