By Ashlie Miller

If you’re a Christian, you know you carry the Hope of eternity with the gospel for a world that needs to hear it, but how does one initiate opportunities for such conversations? I have friends who are bold and courageous, getting straight to it while in line at a quick service counter, “Hey, we just came from church and are eating together here. Do you go to church? You don’t?! You should come to ours!” Sometimes, we let our server know when we are about to pray that we would be happy to pray for them if they feel comfortable sharing something. Many times, they have a specific need.

But one of my recent go-to questions for engaging people in the marketplace is looking for a person wearing a cross pendant around their neck. Believe it or not, on most errand days, I will usually connect with at least one. “Tell me about why you wear your cross or what it means to you?” I may be met with a bright smile and a ready answer to share the gospel with me! That has been refreshing and even surprising at times. I realized I had previously asked one young man at my local Harris Teeter this question when I recalled him giving a similar answer before. He began responding with the scripture on the back of the cross that helps him keep his focus when tempted to sin. I was amazed at his readiness to share something genuine and personal. I wondered aloud if he was often asked this question. He replied, “No, actually, I think you are one of the only people to ask.” 

One young lady at my favorite coffee spot thanked me for recognizing her cross and engaging her. She was wearing three, actually, and commented that no one had ever asked her before why she wears them, which she thought was odd given the number of crosses she wore. She was excited to tell me about her relationship with the Lord in the church that she attends. The young lady further commented, “You know, it is strange that people wear it as a fashion statement, because why would people wear this for any other reason than a relationship with Jesus? Do people really know what this cross means? A yarmulke is also a piece of religious symbolism, but no one wears it as a fashion statement.” I smiled at her wisdom.

At other times, the answer is nostalgic: “My grandmother always wore one.” I will ask, “OK, but does that have any personal significance for you?” Since I cannot have a whole conversation in a 30-second interaction, I follow this up by urging them to seek out the meaning behind the cross and its significance. My hope and prayer is that as they think back over their day or evening, they revisit that interaction. 

At other times, I have found people who wear it as a charm of sorts or only as a cultural identifier. The young Walmart cashier told me his thick black cross was a relative’s urn, which he wears for good luck. Another young man at the car wash wears one because he and his family attend church. When I asked him, “OK, but what about for you? Does that have any personal significance?” He was at least honest, saying, “Not really.” Again, I encouraged him to seek that out. 

Linguistic theft (words no longer meaning what they once meant) and the hijacking of Christian symbolism mean that we can not make assumptions by what someone is wearing or plastering on their vehicles to determine what they believe. These can be great conversation starters to either find a common belief or question a belief with thought-provoking questions.

What are the ways you are using to connect with others deeply in one-minute or less interactions? 

Ashlie Miller’s favorite cafes are Holy Grind and Press & Porter. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.