As easy as ... L-S-P

Sign-up for fitness clubs, fastest broadband to choose, best mobile phone deal, which pension fund, cheapest car insurance, what clothes are 'in' this year? Life, it seems, presents an ever-wider myriad of choices. So how to decide ... and does faith have any part to play in any of this? Tough question, especially if we take seriously the call to live lives worthy of the gospel.

Yet these questions are likely the same questions that our friends, our colleagues, those we chat to occasionally when our paths cross, are asking. Deep down, perhaps we are all wondering simply how to get through life?.

Jesus commissioned us to make disciples as you go (Matt 28:16-20). Note the 'as you go' - in other words as we ourselves walk a path of discipleship: following and learning from Jesus. He didn't say 'work out all the answers, then get cracking', but rather 'learn on the job'. All sound too daunting? Remember that in the same instructions He said 'I am with you always' - we don't have to do this alone!

So with our friends, where should we start? How about doing some serious Listening. What are people really asking, what are the real questions below the surface? God works with people where they are at, so try to understand where that place is.

Everyone likes a little bit of help to point them in the right direction, so be ready to do a bit of Sign-posting. That's dropping hints, laying down markers, that give others a chance to see a different way of thinking. Remember, we are all free to heed this advice or not, so give people the space to do that.

Finally Pray: ask God to reveal Himself, and do His work of convincing people. Don't be easily discouraged - remember that God probably had to do quite a persisting for you to start following!

So its L-S-P, not as easy as A-B-C, but Jesus never promised it would be easy. As we follow, we find Him to be trustworthy, which gives us good reason - when we hear of our mates struggles - to give pointers to something more, and to talk in faith to Him who travels with us.