The thing that startles me when I walk down the street is how many people put in their headphones and isolate themselves even further. It’s amazing how the streets of Chicago can so easily feel like a large amount of people secluding themselves together. Kind of ironic. This most definitely stems out of our culture of task-orientation. I have seen this same orientation towards life when I go back home outside the city. In an age where to-do lists and accomplishments are king, the priority becomes the what in life and the who is forgotten.
That’s why I have been working to change my natural tendency whenever I walk down the street. If I fall into task-orientation, I will hardly acknowledge the people I walk past or encounter. However, when I am people-oriented, those same people I’ve ignored become friends, people I care about. I can honestly say that focusing on people is so much more rewarding. I have met some amazing people here in Chicago once I started putting more value on others. I have had some great conversations with a homeless man named Ron, a doorman named Antonio that I walk past almost every day, and a Planned Parenthood recruiter – these are at least the people that stick out in my mind. Meeting these people has been very fulfilling; I am so grateful to have met them and to now be on a first-name basis with many people I otherwise would have never met.
Outside of experiential or moral reasoning, I think that a people-oriented life is much more reflective of Jesus’ calling for Christians. Jesus tells his disciples, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That statement explains the priority of Jesus and His disciples throughout the rest of His ministry. Jesus is known to stop what He is doing, no matter what that is, to speak to people, heal people, care for people; I’m sure you get the point. Jesus clearly prioritized people far above the things he was doing.
I think that’s a pretty incredible model set for us. Obviously we have things to do and we can’t just talk to people all day long. However, I think that the mindset that a people-oriented life brings is a necessary mindset for Christians. It’s pretty hard to change lives without being intentional about others.
So that’s my challenge to you. Set a goal for yourself this week. Whether that’s simply talking to someone new, calling an old friend, or buying someone’s groceries. Care for others this week. It’s what Christ modeled for us and the results are so worth it.
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