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Who is the most important man who ever lived? Without a doubt it’s Jesus Christ! As such, Jesus could also have been the most isolated, insulated, protected person who ever lived. We are used to people such as heads of state, influential business leaders, and celebrities separating themselves from the crowd; right? But amazingly, our Lord was just the opposite. Jesus could be approached by anyone, and it appears also at any time.
A scene in Matthew 19, verses 13-15 proves this all too well. Here, “little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.” Obviously the parents of these little ones perceived Jesus was approachable. However, the well-meaning disciples thought Jesus was too important to be bothered by children and tried to send the parents and their young ones away. What was Jesus’ response? “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
As a Christian, you are important! You are important to God, and you’re important to your family and friends. But sometimes, in a prideful moment, it’s easy to forget that you cannot use your knowledge, accomplishments, and position to justify being unapproachable to others, no matter how important your achievements may seem. Like those little children, all people are important to God and merit our love, attention, and ministry if and when it is needed.
Being accessible is a subtle quality. Are you sure you are approachable? To your husband and children? To the people at church, work, or next door? Is your heart tuned to those who are concerned, needy, outsiders, or seemingly unimportant? Jesus meant it when He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Anything and everything can be seen as an inconvenience if you want it to be. You can justify and rationalize all day long about why you don’t have time for people. There will always be reasons, and some of them good ones, why others shouldn’t ask for your time and assistance. But be careful not to put up barriers between you and those you might be able to help.
I work hard on appearing approachable. First, I have a personal motto wherever I go—”Go to give.” This sets the tone whenever I enter a group gathering. I try to smile—a lot! I take the initiative and speak to, encourage, and even affirmatively touch as many as I can. Be flexible. Who knows? Maybe your Plan A might become God’s better Plan B as you help someone with a need. To become more like Jesus, purpose and pray to be approachable, available, and gracious like He was… and still is to you today and every day. May you be a branch of the vine of Christ, reaching others who are heavy laden (John 15:5). No one is unimportant to Him.
Question: Who have you met who is surprisingly approachable, like our Savior, despite their status or position?
For more about God’s wonderful character read, A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus.
Read Don’t Get in My Way, I’m Serving the Lord on Elizabeth & Jim George.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
How did men and women in the Bible accomplish great things for God? There wasn’t any secret formula or bestselling book on success for them. In fact, they were ordinary people like you and me. What made them effective was their willingness to obey God—one decision at a time.
