Last week in this space I shared some thoughts on how to live in the tension of the sin-filled world we find ourselves in. I’d like to expand on that this week with some practices I’ve found helpful in my own life.
I’ve been asking myself a simple question: What does it look like to faithfully follow Jesus in a culture like this?
A helpful resource I’ve come across lately comes from pastor and author Jim Henderson. He talks about three simple practices that have been quietly shaping how I think about people, conversations, and life in these times. They aren’t flashy. They aren’t complicated. But they are deeply formative. Here they are:
#1 “I’ll be unusually interested in others.”
This practice pushes against our instinct to assume we already know. Instead of leading with opinions, it calls us to lead with curiosity. To listen more than we speak. To genuinely want to understand someone’s story, not just their stance. Interest is a form of love, and curiosity has a way of opening doors that arguments never will.
#2 “I’ll stay in the room with difference.”
Difference makes most of us uncomfortable. When beliefs, politics, theology, or life experiences don’t line up with our own, our reflex is often to disengage or distance. This practice invites us to do the opposite. To remain present. To resist the urge to leave relationally when things get tense. Staying doesn’t mean agreeing. It means loving people enough to not walk away.
#3 “I’ll stop comparing my best with your worst.”
This one hits close to home. We are quick to judge others by their weakest moments while giving ourselves grace for our intentions. This practice calls us toward humility. It reminds us that we all need grace, and that Jesus meets each of us in our broken places, not just our polished ones.
What I appreciate most about these practices is that they don’t try to fix everyone else. They begin with me. They shape posture, not performance. They help us stay open-hearted in a closed-off world.
I’ve found these practices to be incredibly helpful for navigating our current cultural moment. Not by avoiding hard conversations, but by entering them with the spirit of Jesus. Gentle and courageous. Full of grace and truth. My prayer is that we would be a people who don’t retreat from difference, but reflect Jesus right in the middle of it.
peace,
Nick
I’ve been asking myself a simple question: What does it look like to faithfully follow Jesus in a culture like this?
A helpful resource I’ve come across lately comes from pastor and author Jim Henderson. He talks about three simple practices that have been quietly shaping how I think about people, conversations, and life in these times. They aren’t flashy. They aren’t complicated. But they are deeply formative. Here they are:
#1 “I’ll be unusually interested in others.”
This practice pushes against our instinct to assume we already know. Instead of leading with opinions, it calls us to lead with curiosity. To listen more than we speak. To genuinely want to understand someone’s story, not just their stance. Interest is a form of love, and curiosity has a way of opening doors that arguments never will.
#2 “I’ll stay in the room with difference.”
Difference makes most of us uncomfortable. When beliefs, politics, theology, or life experiences don’t line up with our own, our reflex is often to disengage or distance. This practice invites us to do the opposite. To remain present. To resist the urge to leave relationally when things get tense. Staying doesn’t mean agreeing. It means loving people enough to not walk away.
#3 “I’ll stop comparing my best with your worst.”
This one hits close to home. We are quick to judge others by their weakest moments while giving ourselves grace for our intentions. This practice calls us toward humility. It reminds us that we all need grace, and that Jesus meets each of us in our broken places, not just our polished ones.
What I appreciate most about these practices is that they don’t try to fix everyone else. They begin with me. They shape posture, not performance. They help us stay open-hearted in a closed-off world.
I’ve found these practices to be incredibly helpful for navigating our current cultural moment. Not by avoiding hard conversations, but by entering them with the spirit of Jesus. Gentle and courageous. Full of grace and truth. My prayer is that we would be a people who don’t retreat from difference, but reflect Jesus right in the middle of it.
peace,
Nick