As you may know, my full-time job is with a management consultant firm. I am accountable for selling engagements, and then delivering them to my clients.

The delivery of the engagement, while pressure-filled, feels "easy" compared to the selling the engagement.

In actuality, they both require the same thing: preparation, listening, and being with the other person.

So, what causes selling to occur as more difficult?

The story I tell myself about selling.

Here's what's interesting: as the author of the story, I can create whatever story I choose. But, I often go with the default story, which is typically negative and against me.

I bring up this example because we often tell ourselves stories when it comes to inviting others to church.

Sure, there are some folks we'll invite to church with no problem at all, especially if the stakes are low. On the other hand, there are those we are reluctant to invite because the stakes feel enormously high.

Note: The story about the stakes mentioned influences the action. If the stakes seem low, we're quick to invite. However, if the stakes seem high, we're slow to invite. The story governs our actions.

There's an example of story influencing belief and actions in the Old Testament.

Remember the spies who went to Canaan? There were two stories in circulation.

Caleb's story was,

"We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

On the contrary, the men who were in the same place with Caleb—and saw the same thing Caleb saw—had this story,

“We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are. The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:31-33)

They all saw the same things: people and land. Their story about themselves (based on something from their past) caused them to do nothing instead of taking the land God had promised them.

Now let's talk about you, .

I encourage you to listen to the story you're telling yourself. Better yet, ask someone who loves you and will be honest with you to begin listening to the stories you're telling yourself.

Regarding inviting (insert name here) to church this Sunday, pay attention to the story playing in your mind. If you're leaning towards not inviting the person, look for justifications, reasons, considerations, and anything else that would cause you to be inactive instead of getting into action.

You're always going to have a story. It's natural. You can't help but have a story. So, make your story work for you instead of against you.

Prayer:

Lord, as I navigate the challenges of my daily tasks and interactions, I ask you to help me hear the stories I tell myself. Moreover, help me to be open when others tell me the stories they hear me telling myself. Father, help me to reframe these stories in the light of Your truth. When doubts creep in or the fear of rejection weighs heavily on me, remind me of the promises You've given me in scripture, and the confidence those promises should instill. Let my story be one of faith, action, and unwavering trust in You. Amen.