Once you know, how are you going to reach them? You have to be relevant. You have to "speak the language" or they won't identify with you, understand you, or hear what you're saying. You have to be able to answer the questions they are asking about their life. You won't know what those questions are if you're not relevant... if you're not listening, hearing, and understanding.
It's not enough to know that we have the answer. We have to know how to speak the answer in their language. But how do we do that when we're so used to speaking... for lack of a better word... "church". We sure know how to "do church" well. But "doing church" only speaks to people who speak Christianese.
I believe relevance starts in your heart. It's a result of the love and passion you have for God's people. It's the desire like Paul had to be all things to all men that he may reach them for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 9:22) The clothes you wear, the words you speak, and the actions you take are all results of the condition of your heart. The relevance you have to those you are trying to reach will be in direct proportion to the love you have for them.
More thoughts on authenticity tomorrow.
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