Being a People Person

My brother, Mike, has been in the ministry either as a youth minister or a pastor for about 45 years. Even before his call to the ministry, when he was still a renegade, for some reason people liked him. I was probably one of the few who didn’t like him. The reason he was loved by others was because he is a people person. He liked people, and he made friends quickly wherever he went. Last summer he and Lisa came down to visit us. One night we were at a restaurant, and there were a group of ladies sitting at a table near ours. Mike got up to go to the restroom, and on the way he stopped and began talking to those women who were complete strangers. He had them laughing in no time. On the way back to his seat one of them stopped him and once again Mike had the attention of every one of those women. Later when we left it was like the ladies were saying goodbye to a dear, old, cherished friend.

Being a people person comes easy for Mike. I have had to work at the art of what I call being the sunshine in the lives of others. Some might call this bringing light to the darkness in the lives of others. Mike and I are not alike, but I have learned to be a people person anyway. A shy person like me can be light, or be the sunshine that shines in our world. Anyone can be a people person. If you can smile you can achieve people person status. Another way is to listen to others. I mean really listen so they know you care. Whatever you can do to show others you care about them will go a long way in making you a people person. There are many ways to care for others, and show them the love of God.

A people person gives others what they really need. There are people who have just about everything, yet they are hurting. People are lonely, greatly troubled by misfortunes, physically ill, facing death, and grieving. A real people person will be the light of Jesus to those who are hurting. One of my favorite songs is People Need the Lord by Steve Green. I think this song calls on every Christian to be a people person.

The song talks about empty, fearful  people going through private pain, pretending all is well, but their silent cries are only heard by Jesus. Do you know people like that. Maybe this describes you. Lost or saved, people need the Lord.  The end of this song is a challenge for each of us to be a people person, a person who shows God's love by caring for those who are deeply hurting.

“We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?”

“Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share.”

You and I may be the only ones in someone’s life who is able to be their sunshine and give them hope. Jesus is a people person, and if he is in your life you should have no problem being a people person too.