3 Tips for Making a Good First Impression
By Megan Evans
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have a love for one another." - John 13:34-35 ESV
It's common to be a little nervous when meeting new people, leading many of us to overthink our behavior. It is our human nature to want to be liked, but sometimes this causes simple hospitality and friendliness to feel inadequate. Our mind begins to fire off instructions in hopes of putting our best foot forward, and we may even feel the need to offer unnecessary instructions to those around us. After all, who wants to make a bad first impression?
I found myself growing tense while preparing to host a new friend at my house this week, and I was comforted by the words of Jesus. The Lord didn't tell me to clean the house perfectly or prepare all the right foods. He didn't tell me to dress a certain way or stand up extra tall. He didn't tell me to boss my family around or micromanage their interactions. Instead, Jesus gave me very simple words to follow: "Love one another."
At that moment, the weight of anticipation and worry began to fall from my shoulders. My heart was no longer filled with the prepared image I wanted to impress upon my new friend; my heart was filled with God's love. I released all silly fears of what my family and I might say or do and embraced the words of Jesus:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."
Love is first and foremost to our testimony, but also to our interactions with people. It is stressful trying to be our best selves (not to mention impossible), but when we focus on following Jesus, the image we bear is Christ. Following a strict list of do's and don'ts is not the recipe for building healthy friendships, nor is it the way of Jesus. More than minding our Ps and Qs, the world sees that we are disciples of Christ when we act like Him.
Thankfully, we are not on our own to figure out how to live as His disciple. This is where faith intersects with real life. God will help us! Each day is full of opportunities to lean in, listen, and apply His Word. As we do, we will begin to feel less stress of the world and more peace and freedom to live as Christ.
More than a book of stories, the Bible is a handbook for life. Meditating on Scripture prepares us for daily living—even seemingly small things, such as meeting new people! The Holy Spirit will guide us in all things, and He will convict, teach, comfort, and encourage us every step of the way.
The next time you want to make a good first impression, join me in remembering these three tips:
1. Love is most important. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13:1, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." Do you need that reminder like I do today? I don't want my attitudes and actions to be a distracting cacophony. We gain nothing in this world without love.
2. Surrender allows us to follow Jesus. As it says in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We can apply this principle to all areas of life, including our conversation and hospitality. This concept goes against the world's ways, but freeing and glorifying God when we seek to glorify His image over our own.
3. Make the most of every opportunity. We can live boldly and confidently for Christ. As we put our best foot forward, let us not forget to wear the armor of God, "and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15). The best impression we will ever make upon one another is to leave the mark of Jesus.
Dear Lord, teach me to live out my faith in every area of my life, including daily interactions with people. Meeting new people and building relationships is hard sometimes, and I am prone to follow self and worldly expectations. Forgive me for my attitudes and actions rooted in pride rather than you. Help me follow your command to love one another, and let this be how I show the world today that I am your disciple. In Jesus' Name, Amen
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Megan Evans is a military wife, and a mother to three wonderful teenagers. She and her family live in Tennessee where she serves as the women’s ministry director at her church. An author and blogger with a heart for discipleship; she writes, speaks, and teaches women about enjoying God in each busy day. Check out her new book, “Permission to Walk: A 40-Day Journey to Unhurried Peace” and learn the daily pace of life that Jesus taught as we daily navigate this distracted and fast-paced world. You can connect with Megan at www.unhurrymyheart.com, www.instagram.com/megan.m_
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