E 257: Have You Heard...

ONE DAY CLOSER with Mark & Dave

Have you heard? These three simple words grabs attention better than most when starting a discussion. We humans love…dare I say…crave, gossip or more mildly stated, are very open to new intel. We love a good story.

The kids today have an acronym for this…it called FOMO…the Fear Of Missing Out, and none of us want to miss out on something.

If I said, “danger Will Robinson” these three words would suggest a WARNING might follow. If I said “back off Jack,” you might perceive it as a THREAT. And if I said “Make America Great Again,” many would be triggered and their TDS would flare up and their face would turn red as their veins begin to pop out of their head.

But a question like “have you heard,” is a harmless one, not a threat or a warning…but a question that is most often, well received (without insight or context as to what might follow).

My objective is to share a few “communication strategies” or techniques to help us all communicate better by being more thoughtful and prepared as we engage with people (both strangers or casual acquaintances and with those we actually know a bit better).

In a word this show is about TESTIFYING. But don’t let that word scare you. I’m not talking about WITNESSING or PREACHING to your neighbor or trying to convert the struggling stranger to a Faith worthy of following.

I’m talking about farming. You heard me right…FARMING. The simple, but intentional, act of planting a seed of hope or encouragement, a word of peace or a display of sincere compassion…that sticks with people…long after the discussion or encounter is over.

Image what the apostles struggled with when they finally ventured out into the many nations to begin their ministry. There was no advanced marketing or promotion campaign announcing their “coming soon” arrival. There was no institution behind the scenes supporting them, no handouts or preprinted leaflets…to pass out once they got there. It was just them. At first, maybe as a group…but later…they went out two by two…and even later…each took on their own region or nation.

They entered a strangle land, with little to no knowledge of the nations or regions they would visit to spread the word of Christs life, death and resurrection. They would have had little insight into the faiths, beliefs, laws, and customs of the many people they would be engaging with. Imagine heading to a distant land, far from Jerusalem or Galilee and engaging with a total stranger and say…”Have You Heard…of Jesus the Christ from Galilee?”

What a brilliant way to open a conversation…with three simple words…”Have you heard?”

They didn’t “spread” the word with opening statements like “Repent you filthy Sinner” or “you’re all going to hell because you don’t know Jesus.”

They weren’t preaching repentance. They were sharing Good News.

In a word they were “testifying.” Simply telling a story of an incredible man, teacher and healer of men. Today we might describe him as a major Influencer on social media.

But how many total strangers would have been moved to ponder their lot in life if the story was only about a wise and insightful rabbi or teacher from some distant land?

I’m guessing it was the stories of healings, miracle’s and the personal eye witness accounts of these supernatural events that were most rememberable to listeners, total strangers.

YOUR GIFT is YOUR STORY! YOUR MESS can be YOUR MESSAGE. And it doesn’t have to be long or all inclusive.

Remember, initially we are simply FARMING. Simply dropping seeds. But what kind of seeds are we planting? That depends on the soil. Does it get a lot of moisture or full sun? So there’s a little bit of THOUGHT put in to HOW you will perform your work.

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