Brian Castelli – With His Heart

In the most-recent edition of the Christian Research Institutes’s Journal magazine (www.equip.org), Sean McDowell reviews the book Thank God for Evolution by Michael Dowd. McDowell quotes Dowd’s explanation for his shift from Bible-believing fundamentalism to evolutionary evangelist:

“First, I came to know and trust several students and teachers before learning that they held evolutionary world views.”

Dowd is a smart guy. It seems likely that he has considered the evidence carefully. But what I find particularly compelling in his story is that relationships he built with people who held opposing viewpoints with him ultimately led to his change of heart and mind. My guess is that he came to trust these folks before he was willing to give their viewpoint a fair hearing.

This applies to all of us. When we carry the truth–either to an unbelieving co-worker, a homeless vagabond, or a student at the local high school–we need to show them that we care through our relationship with them.

I’m reminded of the story of the Hall’s relationship with Denver Moore (http://briancastelli.com/?p=211). It was the people who came down to the mission week after week that came to be trusted. As we build our relationships, we must be consistent in the way we spend time with people. Drive-by charity doesn’t build relationships…

Earlier this week, the Raleigh News & Observer newspaper reported on a new initiative coming to the Raleigh area this year (2009). In an article titled, “In Wake, Nurses Will Aid Families,” Staff Writer Sarah Avery describes the way the new program will impact lives. Avery writes:

The program’s mission is to improve the health of poor children and their mothers by intervening early, while the young women are still pregnant, and sticking with them as their babies grow into toddlers. Established 30 years ago and tested against other interventions to gauge its success, the Nurse Family Partnership has a track record of keeping young mothers off welfare, delaying a second pregnancy and helping women be more attentive and engaged moms.

The bottom line message for you and me: Relationships make a difference. As we attempt to engage the world, it’s getting involved directly in the lives of others that brings about change.