Are You Investing?

And no, I am not talking about your finances.  I am talking about people.  Are you investing in the lives of others?  Today I want to write about something that has been on my heart for several weeks.  What kind of faith-driven investments are we making in the lives of those around us?  I feel as though many of our churches have put so much emphasis on small groups that individuals are forgotten.  The church is not a building.  The church is a group of individuals.  As the church, people of God, we need to begin investing in the lives of the individuals around us.

How many times have we heard the people in our lives tell us that they feel so alone?  One of my good friends told me a story yesterday that really made me think of this.  A friend of ours had told her that he feels so alone.  He has been in basic training for the last 3 weeks and still has not received any kind of letter.  Why are we, God's people, not taking the responsibility to meet his individual needs?  See, here's the thing.  When we begin to make a personal investment in the lives of others by showing them we care, we are showing them a love that is not our own...but God's! 

It's time to put down the cell phone, log off the computer and start sending people cards or going to visit them at home!  I am so absolutely horrible about not investing in the lives of others.  I always think I am too busy.  But that is a lie.  God designed for His people to care for one another...and yet we think we are too busy.  God has commanded us to invest in the lives of others!  "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  (Matthew 22:37-39)  "Love your neighbor as yourself."  If it is the second greatest commandment, why are we NOT doing it?!  The reason people fall through the cracks is because we forget to love them as individuals!  We need to start really talking to people, learning their joys, struggles, and hurts and allowing them to know ours.

Okay I know this has kind of turned into a rant, but I am really passionate about this!  We have to start loving people in ways that are glorifying God!  With all this being said, I have included some really great ways for us to show God's great love to others by truly investing our time in them.  These are simple acts of kindness!

1. Take him/her out to coffee.  -This provides some great time to talk and fellowship.
2. Send out cards.  -Send a "Thinking of You" card out to someone you know each week.  Write an encouraging note on the inside.
3. Make a phone call.  -Instead of emailing or texting, make the phone call that says you are willing to set some time aside to listen to what they have to say.
4. Offer to babysit.  -Parents, especially single moms, sometimes just need one night out to relax!
5. Bake something.  -What better way to invest in someone's life than by baking them a goodie and personally delivering it with a smile on your face. 
6. Invite him/her to lunch and then pay.  -Lunch (or supper) is a great time to fellowship with others.  When you pay, it's even more of a blessing.
7. Be "fully there."  -Being "fully there" means you are giving that person 100% of your attention.  You are not texting, thinking of how busy you are, or wishing you were somewhere else.  Your mind is completely present and focused on that other person.  This is so important and usually get's forgotten.
8. Write a letter.  -Again, pick one person per week, and write him or her a letter about how he/she has been a blessing in your life.  Use it to encourage!
9. Open your home.  -Ask invdividuals over to your home for supper or for a snack.  Let them know that your doors are open whenever they are in need.
10. Pray!  -Pray for the people you know!  And it's okay to let them know you have been praying for them.  Ask what you can pray for in their lives.  This could open up doors for conversation!

There a lot of ideas that I am sure I failed to include in this list.  But that just goes to show that the possibilities for investing in others are endless!  Let's challenge ourselves by picking a few of these ideas and really sticking with them.  Let's invest in the lives others and show them what God's love is all about!  The song I have included should be a lesson to us all.