My friend Dave and I had just finished swimming and were about to leave the locker room when a man wearing a camp shirt walked in.  

I immediately recognized the logo.  It was from a nearby Christian camp. So, I started with my usual approach.

"That is an interesting shirt you are wearing.  Tell me about it", I said.  

I was expecting him to tell me about his time at the camp and what he learnt there. 

Instead he replied "A friend gave it to me.  I'd really rather talk about the shirt your friend is wearing".

Dave had on a Green Bay Packer shirt. And so we talked about sport.

You might say I struck out in talking about spiritual things.

But I would say we hit a single:  we started a casual conversation with a stranger.

If I were to continue the baseball analogy:

1st base: a casual conversation

2nd base:  a meaninful conversation

3rd base: a spiritual conversation

Home plate: a Jesus conversation

 I celebrate each time we see a conversation move ahead one base.

It is unlikely that I will ever get to a meaningful conversation with this person because we were just visiting his town. But if I was visiting this pool regularly, and came consistantly at the same time, I might bump into him again.  And maybe, just maybe, God might open the door for us to have a meaningful conversation.

This week let's celebrate each conversation we have and ask God to open doors for us to move to the next base.  That way we will eventually see people come to faith in Jesus. 

Let's pray:

"Lord Jesus, thank you for the many people you put in our path.  Thank you for variety of conversations we can have during the week: casual, meaningful, spiritual and Jesus conversations.  Show us where you want us to focus our time and our prayers.  We will give you the praise for the progress that we see, for you alone can change hearts."

Next week I'll share a meaningful conversation I had at the front desk of a hotel.