The conversations we have with the people and communities around us are meant to show us different things about God. We, as God’s creation were made for relationship. In other words, we need to “bounce things off of other people” so that we may understand the wise direction to choose. I believe that is why the Gospel writers gave us so many stories and examples of conversations with Jesus.
There are several stories about “the rich” or “rich young rulers,” Matthew 19:23 ff, for example. John accounts Jesus’ visit with Nicodemus in John 3:3 ff…and what about all the conversations between “the 12” and their Messiah? I wonder how many times the disciples asked about the Kingdom of God just so they could get their heads around it. In these examples, I believe the heart was also an issue, painful as it may be, Jesus waits for us in those conversations because they are the true issues of the heart.
Sometimes conversations are meant for seasons in our lives, like a conversation with ourselves about cancer treatments or the timing of a child with our spouse. We talk to health care workers about transitioning elderly parents into assisted living and we talk to our children and grandchildren about their post- high school plans.
Other times, we must consider that a “conversation” is about our environment and process of life. We may ask, “Do I like the way my job, life, culture is heading? and if not, how can I make the changes necessary for my own passion and those around me?” In other words, consider the conversation you are currently having. Is Christ the center of them? Are they life-giving or life-depleting?
In any case, God cares about the “conversations” you are having and He hopes you will ask Him to be a part of them…it truly is the greatest way to see more of who He is… and who we can become.
