Have you given it a go?
Have you given it a go? I did just the other day. I ordered an Uber to take me to Waitara to collect my car after a service. As soon as I knew the Uber was on the way I went to the church website, navigated my way from the front page to the Share Life questions and refreshed them in my mind. (You can find them here!)
What matters to you most in the world and why?
How do you spend most of your time?
Since the start of the year does how you spend your time match up with what matters to you most?
If not, what would you need to change to make it possible?
They are actually excellent questions for getting you to the heart of what someone really thinks and believes. Using the questions really gives you the chance to listen to what they think is most important in life and how their life is being shaped around that. And once their thoughts are on the table, if you are ready, there is a golden opportunity to be able to share what matters to you too (Jesus!).
So, with the questions freshly in my mind, my Uber driver Rashid arrived and I hopped in his car and we were off.
I wanted the whole conversation to be natural so I had decided not to take the “my church is doing this survey” route. You can definitely do that and I suggest it if you are feeling anxious but I was certain I would be able to ask the questions naturally because Uber drivers are always looking for a 5 star rating on their conversation skills.
And the moment came pretty quickly. My opening question for Uber drivers is “Why did you start driving Ubers?” He had just told me about a failed Indian restaurant of his and the frustration of losing almost everything and having to start driving during covid. I expressed disappointment for him and then asked, “What matters to you most in the world and why?”
“Security—personal and financial” he said. Then he launched into a long explanation of why that was the case. Briefly, he had come from Pakistan to Australia with little more than his family, some money and some ideas. He came seeking peace and security and opportunities for his kids that he never had. I slowly asked the remainder of the questions as the opportunity naturally came and that took us almost to the end of the drive. I thanked him for sharing with me and he thanked me for asking good questions that made him think. We did not discuss faith but I did get a chance to mention Jesus, and I felt I finished with a deep appreciation for what made Rashid tick. I prayed for him as I walked to pick up my car that I might be one in a line of people who plant seeds that God would make grow (1 Corinthians 3:7).
Now you might think to yourself, “I could never do that” but I think you can. And I am praying you will give it a go. Practice with a friend first and then give it a go next time you are chatting with someone you know is not yet a believer. Even just go for the first question and then follow up with other enquiring questions to help you listen to what matters to people in this day and age. The answers might surprise you. The answers will help you. The process will help you as we all seek to Share Life with the world.
