Do you adapt to different situations? Are you willing to change your language, attitude, and body language to reach someone who is different from you? Are you aware of the differences you come across? Do you take offense at the differences or look at them as an opportunity?
As normal human beings we are most comfortable around other people who are like us? Usually, that means the environment in which we grew up. It may mean being around people in the same profession. When we are thrown into large groups, we will seek those we think will make us most comfortable. This is human nature.
If we continue to follow this pattern, will we learn anything about someone who is different? Notice I didn’t say the other person was weird or odd or strange or any other word to describe them. Too often we think of those words when someone is different. We would be much better off to think of the other person as different and look at it as an opportunity to learn something from them.
When we look at it as an opportunity and ask questions regarding their culture or background, we gain insight. We can then apply that insight to our behavior while we are with them. This leads to another great opportunity—telling them about Jesus.
Paul approached each culture in that manner as he traveled what we call the Middle East and parts of Europe. He certainly ran across different cultures, different languages, and different backgrounds. He adapted to each situation in order to bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul also had a sense of urgency. He knew with certainty there are only two options for someone in eternal life and that choice is made while living on this earth. He understood that Jesus came to save the lost and Paul’s mission was to compel as many as possible to be saved.
We have the same mission today. No, we may not be Paul. But we are to tell people about Jesus and convince them to make the decision to be His follower. We also need to have a sense of urgency. We also need to adapt to the situation we find ourselves in. Jesus is counting on each of us to work for Him.
I pray we learn to adapt to our situations. I pray we all decide to stop seeing others as strange and look at it as an opportunity to learn. I pray each of us take on a sense of urgency to tell others about Jesus. Adapt to the situation. Learn from others. Seek opportunities. Speak the gospel. Save the lost.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Marty Pressey 