Tip of My Iceberg

Having just returned from a week in Spain meeting with people and attending a wedding, I’m feeling more than a little out of my element coming back to busyness, hurrying, texting, and quickly shared words as we move from one thing to another.

The pace in Europe was a little slower, but just as much was accomplished. It was done in a way that felt kinder, gentler, more people-focused.

More human.

Many may disagree with me saying that they connect well with people well here in America, that honest conversation is a practice they employ daily.

What I remember is a a French woman I got to know years ago who made a comment on our culture after living here for several months. “You Americans know how to be friendly, but you don’t know how to be friends.”

I’ve pondered that a long time, and I think she might have something there.

While in Barcelona, we weren’t distracted with screens or the constant checking of our phones while we were in the company of others. We talked, often while we walked from place to place. A fun fact–as Americans, we were enamored with the number of steps we took each day.

Our Spanish friends didn’t make a big deal about it. They walk everywhere.

The conversations didn’t just happen on the walks. We spent long hours over meals talking, asking challenging questions, finding out more about each other, encouraging one another as we became students of each other.

Meaningful conversation takes intentional time. It takes the focus off us and puts it squarely on others in a mode of active listening.

It’s a reflection of how we care about others.

Jesus modeled such intentional conversation as He moved around Judea. He and His disciples walked everywhere, and the four gospels give detailed accounts of where He walked. The land of Israel isn’t very large; it’s roughly the size of New Jersey. Just walking from His home town of Nazareth to Cana where Jesus performed His first miracle, on toward Capernaum where He ministered for a time, and back to Nazareth was a round trip of 240 miles. With many trips around Judea, it’s estimated that Jesus walked over 3,000 miles during His three-year public ministry.

Talking with people as He walked. Listening to those who had needs. Responding to them with compassion.

There was a time when Jesus and His men were walking to Jericho with a large crowd following them, interested in what He had to say. A blind beggar sat by the side of the road, and when he heard that Jesus was walking by, he shouted to Jesus to have mercy on him. Many were annoyed at his interruption, but Jesus stopped and focused on the man. “‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ Jesus asked. ‘My Rabbi,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see!” And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:51-52.

Jesus stopped to listen to the needs of a man who had nothing. Others would have moved Jesus on, but compassion for the one hurting stopped Him. He asked a question Jesus asks each of us. “What do you want Me to do for you?”

He came to offer freedom from guilt and shame, forgiveness for all the wrongs we do, grace to not have to perform to receive acceptance or love. Jesus came to offer life, hope, love, and peace. In a world divided by anger and hate, fear and anxiety, what Jesus offers is all we need.

As we walked and talked with our friends, they offered insight and wisdom to questions we asked. They listened to what we needed to say. To things pressing into our hearts.

Jesus offers that listening ear–and so much more.

What do you want Jesus to do for you?