One Small Step

[intro]Most days, I probably spend more time reading and relating children’s stories to my four year old than I spend perusing literature for grown ups. Perhaps that explains why the line from a popular children’s book keeps running through my mind. “If you give a mouse a cookie…”[/intro]

(For those of you who haven’t read the book, it’s about a kid who offers his mouse pal a cookie; which kicks off an entire day of catering to the whims of the adorable—albeit rather needy—minuscule friend.)

One thing that keeps us from getting serious about “going” in our own community is the fear that we’ll end up in the same predicament as the little fella in If You Give A Mouse A Cookie—rather like that sinking feeling you get when you intend to tug a loose thread off your sweater, and end up creating a gaping hole. Should have left well enough alone, right? Because if you decide to work on building genuine relationships with people, you could theoretically end up with a love-starved human being on your hands instead of just a mess of yarn or a tired mouse. And THAT strikes many of us as exhausting, confusing, or difficult.

The good news is, unlike that story, you don’t have to be a hero and take this step alone. As part of the Riv family, you have access to all kinds of ministry affiliations and resources to help you build missional relationships in a supported context. And if your life group is open to it, “going” as a team will increase the strength and impact of your efforts.

Not sure where to begin? Here are three simple steps. (Please don’t confuse that with three easy steps.)

Choose ONE opportunity.

On the Compassion page, you’ll find places in which Riv people are already “going.” If something piques your interest, check it out and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Choose ONE time a month to participate.

Commit to going back to that same place at least one time each month.

Choose ONE person to connect with.

Ideally the same person each time. Make a friend, and sharing Jesus can become a natural part of your conversations.

The point is, don’t hold back from figuring out how to share Jesus in Lansing. Yes, it can be daunting, but you’re not alone.

Image Credit: alexanderromero