The Art of Engaging

He seemed the unlikely sort to enter into and absorb conversation. Slightly past middle age, rounded in build, with what appeared to have been russet hair—but was now gray and thin—crooked teeth, and a crushed look in his eyes that men seem to acquire after being detached from their spouse.

He’d seen the world, raised a family, and should have been enjoying the benefits of labor that had been put into his business and children. Instead he was, in his own words, a nomad, with nothing left from his livelihood and family but bitter memories. Still, he seemed grateful for the temporary home that had been offered to him by his Christian neighbors, who doubled as my mum’s childhood friends and schoolmates.

The discussion was launched when I asked about his experience in the commonwealth countries of Australia and New Zealand. His advice for me before heading out on my month long ministry trip down under was precise and simple: let the Kiwis know that I was Canadian (not American), ask questions, eat their food, and get into one on one conversation rather than staying in the crowd. This, he said, would bring the most benefit of a “cultural experience.”

From there, the conversation spilled into a myriad of topics ranging from the source of truth, the person of Jesus Christ, the meaning of life, communism, the hot button topic heterosexual vs. homosexual marriage, and the normalities of life. As we continued to talk, it grew clear that he had no sense of ultimate truth, no compass to set the course of his spirit. His open admittance of not knowing how to discern true good from shadowed evil seems to be the growing norm of my own generation—leaving us without conviction, faith, and deep-seeded hope. Many know about Jesus, or see him as a distant figure head in the cold and aging churches, but fall drastically short of seeing him as the Source of truth, Creator of the universe, and Sustainer of each breath.

What do you do if you have no signal post, no starting point, or final goal to set the course of your life? “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the law.” Hope becomes no more than a tarnished thought, a reality that seems out of reach, maybe even beyond comprehension. Faith is dwindled to a theory of believing in your agnostic worldview, without having reason for existence, or convictions that are worth dying for.

All of this challenged my own acuity of the world, making me question if my faith is based on rock-solid truth that can be known through history, science, logic, experience, and heart intuition; or if it is a weak faith, resting only on feelings and the backbone of my father’s religious convictions. Am I so devoted to the person of Jesus Christ that I am willing, and even compelled, to defend and proclaim him both in the public square and in quiet dining room conversation? “The eyes of the Lord to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” These words should fill my soul with an ardor and desire to plunge into intimacy with Christ—pushing me beyond my comfort zone and making me care enough about the souls of other people to the point of being willing to engage with them in conversation that can make a difference for a time and for eternity.

“The sin of our time is the sin that believes in nothing, cares for nothing, seeks to know nothing, interferes with nothing, enjoys nothing, hates nothing, fins purpose in nothing, lives for nothing, and remains alive because there is nothing for which it will die.”
—Dorothy Sayers