The older I get, the more I talk about the weather. Anytime I don’t know what to say to someone if I mention the weather, I can find common ground. If it is cold, everyone is experiencing the same thing. If it is hot, everyone will agree about the heat.
Common ground is vital to good relationships. If your co-worker is always talking about a sports team you don’t like, find common ground. If your relative that isn’t as outgoing as everyone else, find common ground.
I honestly deep down do not like the Lakers. From the rivalries with the Spurs, Mavericks, and Rockets I just struggle to root for them. Yet I can recall many people throughout my life who love those purple and yellow colors. Instead of bashing on that team, I can talk about mutual things about the team that are undeniable. The Shaq-Kobe era, the new players they added, or how well they played in their last game. I can still have an opinion on the matter but I do not come across as annoying.
Paul once told the church in Corinth, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews… To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some…” (1 Corinthians 9: 19-23). Paul explained here that he found common ground with others to complete a bigger goal. This doesn’t mean that we are to put on baggy clothes and pretend to like rap music to reach a certain group of people.
We must be authentic. The goal of this passage is evangelism. When we can make a connection with someone, we can begin to build a relationship. This time of the year, be a friend to the friendless. As we share in experiences with others, people will see Christ through us. We have the ability to be a light in a world with darkness. We can be positive in a world with negativity.
Yes!!