MSNBC recently began a major ad campaign called, Lean Forward. I first became aware of it at the gym early one morning and saw just the words fonted across the screen. I liked it right away.
Why? Because it said to me, “Let’s be engaged. Let’s think bigger and listen more intently. Let’s interact with purpose.”
This past Sunday I was announcing to the college and career age group at my local church which I have had the opportunity to serve the past sixteen months that I would be stepping down as their teacher, I said, “For the next two weeks, in our final time together, let’s lean forward toward God and each other and see what He might say to us.”
So I like the phrase.
To lean forward in body language means to show an aggressive interest in the other party and/or the subject matter being discussed. To lean away means to show a disinterest in the same.
We listen more intently when we lean forward. I used an example with the group this past Sunday that I could not imagine any one being near Christ and listening to him without leaning forward. Well…except for the religious leaders of his day. They were skeptical anyway and thus missed the message which Christ was offering, just as many religious and christian leaders often miss the message of Christ today.
Four very specific passages in the Bible say, “To him who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15, Mark 4:9, Matthew 13:9 and Revelation 2:7.
And for those who are listening intently, lean forward.
Tomorrow, when you are in a social setting, I would encourage you to practice some body language skills. When engaged in a conversation, make it your purpose to lean forward into the conversation. And if you really want to practice body language skills, get the other person somehow to lean forward as well, without telling them to do so, and when they do, ask them to do something on your behalf, just as a test. Body language experts say that if you can get the other party to lean forward and then ask them to do something or provide something, they will be more likely to do this, leaning forward.
And as you approach God, lean forward toward Him, show Him an intent, a keen interest in what He might show you regarding your own life.
And just in life in general, lean forward. It will give you better momentum as you travel into impossible circumstances that God will make very possible on your behalf.
JHH
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