Go Add Some Value
I think often about this fact - everywhere Jesus went the environment was changed. Read it for yourself - health broke out (spiritual, relational, & physical); peace and faith displaced unrest and despair; death was replaced by life (spiritual, relational, & physical).
So the challenge that lies before us, if we’re actually going to be Christ in this world, is what will we do to make every environment richer, healthier, and more at peace because we’re there.
What I’m actually talking about is adding value everywhere you go.
Here are two things to do today that can change environments right now:
Practice Common Courtesies (which by the way, aren’t very common)
- Learn to be gracious and grateful. Use words like “please” and “thank-you”.
- Maintain eye contact when you speak to people, practice being in the moment and fully attentive.
- Put the phone and computer down, turn the game off, face the person in front of you and realize they are more important than any text, tweet, email, or box-score.
- Work at not being dismissive or condescending - everyone wants to have their ideas, insights, and perspectives valued.
Practice High Touch
- Be personal, open, and tender with the people around you.
- Learn people’s names and us them when you address them.
- Learn to touch people - I’m absolutely convinced people need to be physically touched. Did you know that a baby left in crib without regular touch will actually cease to thrive? I don’t think the need to be touched ever leaves us. I know there are boundaries with all this touching stuff, I’m not asking you to grope or pet; I’m asking you to learn to shake hands warmly and to hug people lovingly (BTW, side hugs are pretty lame).
- Lean into the spirit and ask Him to give you words of encouragement for the people you’re with.
one of my favorite pictures of Kathy adding value
For goodness sake, just be personal. Will some protest your touch and personal interest? Yeah, maybe some, but most people are dying to be encouraged, known, and touched – go find them, they’re all over the place…
