"Why did you choose to do that?"
That's the question. The one question I pray people will ask of my actions. To be posed with genuine wonderment - not disdain and offence.
Mrs Wicks taught me in year 9 Newtons third law that 'for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction'. I'm sure I'm not the first person to say that surely this expands past physics and enters the realm of relationships. As far as I see it, the core of a relationship is two people acting and reacting to each other in a positive or a negative way. All such interactions carry a potential to bring the two independents closer together or further apart. When a relationship is characterised by a positive closeness, trust is generated - and trust leads to open ears. Trust leads to an openness or inquiry of the actions of another.
It is my prayer that when I act, that my action may create a reaction in the 'other' that embraces an inquiry, asking "why did you choose to do that?". Paul has helped me think about how to amplify the chance of this happening : sculpting my choices around what I know about the 'other'. In 1 Corinthians 10 he writes:
31So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,33just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
It is my choices that ultimately reveals my convictions - whether I'm being watched by others or just by God. And when it comes to relating to others, the volume dial of my convictions is turned up all the more when my choices are made for their good. Paul encourages the Corinthians to limit their choices - to give up their freedoms - to more sharply communicate a genuine love that paves the way towards their salvation.
Please God, help me live a life that sharpens others inquiry into the good news of Jesus! And may I be ready to speak of my Lord who humbled Himself beyond human capacity - giving up His position in Heaven to become a man to die on the cross to bring us into favour with God (Philippians 2:6-11).