I’ve known three people in my life who have this certain "gift." I don’t know what to call it. I guess you could call it Charisma, but it seems a profane use of the word. These three people have the ability to flip a switch and make anyone, anywhere, anytime believe, in an instant, that they are that person’s best friend. It’s almost a spell that’s cast on people. I’ve seen it happen and am truly amazed. In each of these three cases, I watched the individual use this gift in a smarmy way of self-fulfillment and/or self-advancement. Sadly, you could tell it fed some emptiness inside them.
I contrast that to watching my friend yesterday in the coffee shop. He has a gentle, humble way of making connections with people. It’s a smile, a handshake, calling the person by name. He consciously reaches out to make a connection with almost every person he comes in contact with. I think the difference between him and the three I mention above is in the motivation. I could tell that my friend yesterday was loving on people – filling them up out of the fullness that’s in him. He’s not suckering people to feed his own insecurities. It was fun to watch these people light up when they talked to him. People tend to respond favorably to love. It kind of reminded me of what the woman at the well must have looked like when Jesus asked for a drink.
My friend inspired me to be a better lover of people today.
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I had the privilege of standing at the temple mount a few years ago. I stood at the base of the mount, next to the foundation stones – all that was left of the temple. I also saw a model of what it looked like (see picture), and it was impressive as the disciples commented. It strikes me that Jesus came, not just to build up, but to also tear down. I wonder – what grandiose works of modern man would he dismiss as nothing but kindling for the refining fire? 
