Engaging Others: Economically
Kent Oviatt, Associate Pastor | Deaf & Multicultural Ministries
In the past 20 years, my wife and I have had the opportunity
to serve with our Internationals and Deaf members - to engage others who are
not like us. This is a focused ministry on people groups different than our
own. A pastor friend reminded us once that because we were serving as
missionaries to these people groups, we found ourselves constantly immersed in
a different culture and language. His point at the time was to counsel us that
we periodically needed a break from the strain of living outside our own
culture. Then it occurred to me – in nearly every situation, whether serving as
a missionary, a carpenter, a mechanic or a nurse, we will be exposed to people
who are “not like us.”
In some way, as this passage in Matthew illustrates, we will
cross paths with those of a different economic, generational, cultural or
religious background. So the question is
not are we exposed to people who are
different than us, as this is inescapable. The question rather is are we engaging these people. This is the bridge
that connects us into the lives of people who are searching for the Truth of
the Gospel. Engaging others is an intentional connection, a partnership between
the believer and the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit leads us to people in need, we
submit to this leadership with eyes to see the brokenness, and respond – engage
them by speaking the peace of Christ.
Intentionally engaging
others who are not like me is the bridge that the Holy Spirit can use to
connect the Gospel into the lives of people who are searching for the Truth.
