Just Walk Across The Room

A Pastor, a Principal, and en Executive walked into a bar...

Bill Hybels wrote a book years ago with the title "Just Walk Across The Room." Sometimes when it comes to building relationships the first step is the hardest one. Hybels asks this question "What if you knew that by simply crossing the room and saying hello to someone, you could change that person's life forever?" 

For me this week, just "walk across the room" meant "just send the text message." I have a neighbor who is a huge Mets fan, and so even though his team wasn't in the World Series, I sent out a message that said this:

"I'm not much of a baseball fan, but I'd love to watch a World Series game with a true fan at some point?" My invitation was well received.

We got together last night. He invited another neighbor, and the three of us met at the stop sign and walked down to a sports bar in the village to watch the big game. Let me tell you, putting yourself out there never gets easier. Putting the kids to bed, then heading out to a bar is not something I normally do.... ever.  

However, building real relationships comes from shared experiences. There are only so many conversations that neighbors can have about the grass in the backyard, or the cracked sidewalks on the street. And now, I was being invited into their circle. I needed to take the opportunity to engage.

At the end of the day, we barely watched the game. (Although it was a great one). We connected on a number of levels where the three of us have common interests, common family dynamics, or common obstacles in leading entirely different organizations. I'm very excited this morning at what God may do through these newly formed relationships. 

What about you? In what way(s) could you take that first step to "just walk across the room?" What might God do?

Pastor Milo

@milowilson