Living An Outward Focused Life

I believe everyone can learn to create God Space.

What is God Space?

God Space is a space which we create by faith. God Space is the tangible atmosphere or environment where God’s presence, goodness, kindness, knowledge and power is present to nurture faith in another human being.

In other words, we bring Heaven to earth.

God Space can be created as we serve and love the people of our community. The connection to Kingdom love and power is often the act of serving itself, or when we have spiritual conversations, or when we pray with a person.

Here are some clues to help you practice creating God Space.

Learn to be a friendly, open-hearted person.

Donald Miller wrote in Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality:

“I was addicted to myself. All I thought about was myself. The only thing I really cared about was myself. I had very little concept of love, altruism, or sacrifice. I discovered my mind is like a radio that picks up only one station, the one that plays me: K-Don, all Don, all the time.“

I think we can all identify with his statement. Sometimes our station is tuned to the me station. I do know we can choose to change the station and can learn to be a friendly, open-hearted person. A key part of the process is becoming aware, we are not “other aware.” We can then learn to be otherly. We learn and grow by actively loving and caring for those in our sphere of influence.

Define what you think a friendly open-hearted person looks like. Jot down your thoughts.

Perhaps you wrote, a friendly open-hearted person: smiles, shows interest in someone’s life, listens, cares, encourages, or says the right thing at just the right time. A friendly open-hearted person is someone who is genuine, who serves others, and is always open for conversation. A friendly open-hearted person has time for you. The number one quality of a friendly open-hearted person… they listen and give their full attention.

Now take your list and practice what you have written.

This is how you become a friendly open-hearted person. Practice! Practice is how you learn to do any new skill well. If your radio is often tuned to ME.ME. you will have to practice and practice a lot.

I know I am wired to be task-oriented non-relational and I am somewhat introverted. I am an introvert/extrovert. So I have had to practice. I’m getting better, but I know I need to practice in order to become who I want to become.

I began to practice by seeing the art of being friendly and open-hearted as a learn-able doable task.

I know, it’s sad. But I do know it’s something I can step into and practice. Surprisingly I’m getting better.

I practice saying Hi to a lot of people. I practice listening to God’s voice and I practice slowing down and listening to people. I practice noticing people and situations. I practice offering prayer and care toward others. I practice serving others with a focused heart. I am also a recovering non-hugger so I now practice hugging a select few.

Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.

Some other questions you might want to contemplate include: How do you know when someone is friendly and open-hearted?

What do they do? How do they act?

What are some tips you would give to a friend toward becoming a friendlier, a more other-focused person?

Now apply your tips to your life. Practice being a friendly open-hearted person.

Jesus was and is the most friendly open-hearted person. Read the Gospels. Notice how He treated people. Think about how He treats you.

He is a friend of sinners…