05. Cross the Room
Article 05
Cross the Room
Article 05
Someone you keep walking past may be someone Jesus is calling you to love.
You have seen them.
The neighbor who waves but never stays to talk. The person sitting alone. The coworker whose smile seems strained. The parent standing apart while everyone else talks.
You have wondered whether you should say something.
Then the moment passes.
We can care about reaching the world while struggling to introduce ourselves to the person a few feet away.
Sometimes the next step in the Great Commission is to cross the room.
In the previous article, we talked about praying until you know your next step.
Now comes the moment when prayer becomes movement.
You stand up. Walk over. Learn a name. Ask a question. Give someone your attention.
Jesus stopped beneath the tree
In Luke 19:1-10, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus.
He was a wealthy chief tax collector, a man others looked down on. As Jesus passed through Jericho, He stopped, looked up, called Zacchaeus by name, and told him He would stay at his house.
Imagine being Zacchaeus.
People knew your reputation. They had opinions about you. But Jesus noticed you and wanted to come into your home.
Zacchaeus welcomed Him joyfully.
Others grumbled. Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner.
Yet that encounter led to a remarkable response: Zacchaeus committed to give to the poor and repay those he had cheated.
Jesus explained His mission:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
—Luke 19:10, WEB
Jesus moved toward someone others rejected.
Will we move toward the people around us?
Begin with attention
You do not need to know everything about someone before you introduce yourself.
You can say:
“We keep seeing each other, but I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Terry.”
Then ask a simple question, and give them time to answer.
“How has your week been?”
“What brought you to this neighborhood?”
As the conversation opens, you might ask:
“Is there something I could pray about for you?”
Listen carefully. Remember what they tell you. If they welcome prayer, pray simply. When you see them again, ask how things are going.
Let your care continue beyond the first conversation.
Over time, there may be an opportunity to share what Jesus has done in your life or invite them to explore a Bible story with you.
Take the risk of saying hello
Perhaps you hesitate because you fear rejection.
They may be busy. They may prefer to keep the conversation brief. You can respect that and remain kind.
You can also leave room for the possibility that they have been hoping someone would notice them.
You cannot know their response in advance. You can choose to approach them with humility and love.
A relationship can begin with a sentence you have been afraid to say.
The vision of disciples making disciples reaches into ordinary places: living rooms, lunch tables, sidewalks, waiting rooms.
These are places where we can learn names, hear stories, share Jesus, and invite people to discover Him.
Our desire to help fulfill the Great Commission by 2033 gives us a reason to act today.
There is someone within reach.
Your step today
Choose one person you regularly see but have never taken time to know.
Pray for them. At your next opportunity, introduce yourself, ask a sincere question, and listen.
Before you leave, learn their name.
Then remember it.
Cross the room. Give love a place to begin.
Want to go further?
Take my ten free Zúme lessons, with videos and teaching notes, on your own or with a few friends. Learn to share the gospel, make disciples, and help others do the same.
You do not have to do this alone. I would be glad to coach you as you put what you learn into practice. Contact me, and let’s talk about your next step.
Your gift would be tax deductible and overseen by Northside Christian Church, our sending church. There are many we coach that could use encouragement in small ways to accomplish great things.
Terry Ruff
DMM Catalyst & Zúme Trainer | Missionary at Northside Christian Church
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