Don’t ignore affinity
Much learning takes place in the Harvest. Much of Jesus’ discipling of the twelve was
on the road and doing “the stuff” as John Wimber says. When we work in the harvest among the lost we
are challenged. We are tested. We find out where our gaps in knowledge and
sharing are.
This is where real learning and growth takes place. It doesn’t happen in the classroom. It happens in the everyday life. God is teaching and developing us if we will
let him. He shapes us in to what he
desires. It brings him glory and draws
us near to him.
Normally I would write about a theology idea or strategy to share,
but this is different. This is about the
mystery of relationships. The idea is affinity. It is a mystery how people connect with one
another. This should not be ignored. You can’t reach everyone. You can’t disciple everyone. We are not meant too.
If we are going to expand our influence, we need to be thinking
of others that want to make disciples. Case
in point, we visited Joe, a guy who we met in a neighborhood apartment complex. He received us. He was kind and not put off. We prayed for him. We shared the gospel with him, but we could tell
there was a personal disconnect. During
our conversation, he gave us insight into a positive connection he had with one
of our teammates (Tony) that had come by a couple of weeks prior. Joe remembered Tony. He liked his energy and showed a genuine
interest in meeting with him.
Joe didn’t want to meet with us. It was subtle, not overt rejection. The door was open, but not to us. We could feel hurt or dejected about it. But, Why? It’s not about us. What we learned
is what psychologists call emotional intelligence. It’s learning about people and how to make
the most of relational situations. We
don’t have to get vexed over it. What we
“can do” is use this affinity to build up Joe and to further develop Tony that
has been looking for an opportunity to disciple someone.
In this way it releases us to keep sowing the seed of the
gospel and expands the reach of ministry in the community. Don’t ignore affinity. We must become more
aware of affinity as we reach out to others.
This benefits us all in the long run.
