God, in His wisdom, chooses to love people through people. Leonard reminded us in last week’s post that we are all here in this crazy time in history by God's choice. He decided that we would be alive now. He has trusted us to care for people by loving them, meeting their needs, and ultimately showing them Jesus.

So, how do we do that? A good place to start is by asking two questions.

Question #1: “What’s it like to be__________________?”

This first question is one of empathy. Empathy is about seeing and feeling life from the perspective of the other person. I appreciate how The Message translates 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

When we empathize, we withhold judgment attempting to enter the other's world to become their servant in Christ to show them Christ.

Try this exercise. On a piece of paper, brainstorm answers to these scenarios.

• What's it like to be a single mom with 3 young children?

• What's it like to be a pregnant teenager?

• What's it like to be living on the street?

• What's it like to lose everything from a fire?

• What’s it like to _____________________________?

Question #2: "What would Jesus want me to do?"

The second question is one of stewardship. Based on my history, abilities, gifts, resources, and calling, what does God want me to do?

Pull out that paper again. Consider the following. Write out your answers.

• What in my history makes me unique to help this person or enter into that situation?

• What abilities and skills to do I have? (don't spiritualize this – think hobbies, interests, and so on - ways you can connect with and serve another person)

• What are my spiritual gifts?

• What resources do I have to share?

• What is my calling?

Talk to God about your responses to these questions. Sit with them for a while this week.

I'll close with this story. Last Winter, my family was walking in Midtown Sacramento from a restaurant. We saw a woman who appeared to be living on the street. She was old and had on several layers of clothing to fight the cold weather. As we passed by her, I felt compelled to turn around and give her the $10 from my wallet. She was grateful for the money but what she wanted most was conversation. She was lonely. My daughter and I listened to her for several minutes. We asked questions. She introduced us to her cat and told us about him. During that brief exchange, empathy turned into listening well, sharing what we had to give, and treating her with dignity - as a woman made in the image of God.

This week, be intentional. Ask, “What is it like to be_______________?” And, "What would Jesus want me to do?"