The Presence of God
October 7, 2010

One of the biggest barriers most of us face in talking with someone about Christ is opening the conversation in a non-threatening way. Over the years I've tired different questions, but they all seemed a bit clumsy. Several years ago someone suggested a bridge question I think is the best I've tried. While flying home from a men's event a while back, a 24-year-old women sat beside me. After she had told me about her job and family and upcoming marriage I asked her, "If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be?"  "That's the hardest question anyone has ever asked me," she said. And then she surprised me by asking, "What would you ask for?"

I tilted my head to one side as I realized I hadn't been prepared for someone to ask me that question. "I think I'd ask God if he would give my family and me a deep love for him."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because if we loved him more than anything else then I think everything else would fall in place."

"Now it's your turn. What would you ask for?"

My friend could have asked God for riches, or brilliance, or health. But instead she said, "I'm engaged and my fiancé grew up going to church. I didn't. I think I'd ask God if he would strengthen our spiritual life."

With that answer I knew she had an interest in spiritual things and would be comfortable talking about God. And we did.

Oh yeah, I also used the question with a man flying beside me on the outbound leg of my trip. Turns out he was a believer and we had a great conversation.

It's a great question. If you give it a try this week send me an email and tell me how it went. I may share your story in one of my weekly emails.

By the way, another question would be: What would you ask God? Both are a smooth  bridge into a discussion about God.