As soon as I got in the car my wife turned and asked me, "How did you start that conversation?"

We had flown into Los Angeles the night before and were on our way to visit our daughter-in-law in Simi Valley. The place I booked to stay turned out to be an old artists commune in the middle of nowhere.  Strangest architecture I had ever seen.  And the guests were a bit different too.  

"It was actually quite easy", I replied.  "I simply started asking him about his tatoos."

Alex* enthusiastically told me the significance of each of the illustrations.  

I noticed he had some letters on his fingers and asked them what they spelt.

He held them out for me and I saw the word "BECOMING".

Alex* told me that he likes to focus on the present and what he is becoming.

"I like the word 'becoming' too", I replied. "I want to continue to be an active learner.  I'm 71 years old and am learning a new computer language".

Alex thought that was pretty cool.

The conversation went on and soon I was handing him a card to one of my favourite evangelistic websites:  everystudent.com.

What is the lesson here in starting spirtual conversations? 

• Start with what you can observe.  Is there an item of clothing or an activity they are doing that you can comment on?
• Let the other person know you are genuinely interested in them.
• Be willing to talk with anyone.  Alex* and I are so different.
• Spiritual conversations can take place almost anywhere, any time.  This one took place just as we were about to leave the commune

Let's pray that God gives us opportunities to start spiritual conversations this week:

"Lord Jesus, thank you for the many people we get to meet each day.  Some we see only for a few seconds, others for hours on end.  Let us be sensitive to the leading of your Holy Spirit.  May we be both bold and sensitive.  I know those are hard to keep in balance.  Some days I am too timid.  Other days I am insenstive.  But God, I am so grateful for your Holy Spirit who is active both in my life and in the lives of the people I meet.  Thank you for how you will open opportunties for spiritual conversations this week.  Amen."

During our six week trip to the United States my wife and I had many opportunities to talk with people about Jesus.   Next week I will tell you about an approach that did NOT work.