When I was in college my parents and I would have a freshman bonfire for all my new college buddies. The idea was that we would have a few freshman over to help them in finding new friends among their fellow students, and show them that they had a safe place off campus to escape if they desired. It became a wonderful tradition that everyone looked forward to each year. And with each year and a new set of freshman, the bonfire grew to over 30 students being at my home. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors all encouraged the upcoming freshman to go to this bonfire. It became the activity that everyone needed to attend at least once.

Why do I mention this?

Well,… Because this little thing, a bonfire, became something that help new students to feel comfortable in a scary new environment. It encouraged their older classmen to step outside their comfort zones and welcome someone they had never met before. It opened up doors that may not have been opened otherwise.

The Christian life is the same way. We need to be willing to open up the doors to show people Christ if they are ever going to find what they are looking for and to feel comfortable in the new environment. If we don’t do it, they may never know that it is even available.

What started with a bonfire, continues in the Christian life.