Last time I talked about the idea that it might take 300 touches, 300 impressions or interactions, for some people to really encounter Jesus.
It got me thinking about the great commission, Jesus’ commandment to go and make disciples. And it seems like we’ve turned that into an entire industry of mission trips and church planting.
But the early church grew exponentially by serving. The sick. The poor. The marginalized. The folks nobody wanted anything to do with. It’s like they realized if they showed people who Jesus is by doing what Jesus did, they’d want to hang out with Him.
It seems like some folks interpret “make disciples” in terms of the end result instead of the process. But I’m wondering if Jesus cares as much about the process, the quality of those 300 touches, as he does about the outcome.
Or maybe more, since he could wave his hand and create any outcome he wanted.
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Perhaps this little reflection will remind you and me that the process matters. That every encounter, every conversation, every social media post might be one of those touches.
Most of the time, we never know the impact of our encounter with someone else. For me, at least, the message is pretty clear. That careless social media post might be touch #147 for someone I’ll never meet.
It’s also a reminder for me that the FREEDOM TOUR has to be much more about process than outcomes. I care a lot about how much money we raise because I know it matters for the kids we support, but I have to leave that outcome in Jesus’ hands.
I need to treat everything we do as though it might be touched #147.