Week 3 | Day 2 | The Unexpected Blessings of Inclusion

Command:

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)

Read:

Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. Colossians 3:11 (Message)

Reflect:

It was apparent to all of us in our couples’ growth group that God had brought us together. We had invited friends and neighbors and didn’t know any of them beyond a passing wave or greeting. But as we shared stories the first night, we realized that we all had blended families with young adult children and we quickly bonded. The group was full and we closed it to new members. 

After a couple weeks, another couple requested to join our group. Even though I told them that the group was closed, they persisted. The wife shared that they were not married, but living together with a blended family, and were led to our group specifically. I hesitated. She gently insisted that she felt that the Lord was leading her to our group. I told her that the group was for married couples, but that we would pray about it and ask the group. The entire group agreed to include the couple and the Lord changed my heart. 

Soon they were an integral part of our group. A year later, my husband and I attended their wedding. A year after that, as a cancer survivor, I walked with the wife through her own cancer journey. We are now both in the Cancer Survivor Growth Group, continue to pray for each other and encourage each other through the challenges of large blended families. Their friendship is a blessing.

The Lord had a plan and a purpose beyond what I thought was a “perfect” group. Boundaries (like a specific type of group or a full group) are often needed. But I learned that being open to the Lord’s leading comes first. 

Including others in my friendships is much the same way. I may not be initially drawn to befriend someone. However, I need to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and remember that “everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” Reaching out to include others, to see them and show them the love of Jesus is the way of inclusion.

React:

Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to those who need to be seen this week. Step out of your comfort zone if necessary. Greet the person sitting alone on the patio after church. Ask a neighbor to join your growth group or come to church.

Pray:

Lord, you know me better than anyone. Whether I am an extrovert or an introvert, you call me to love others through inclusion. Holy Spirit, please open my eyes to ways that I can include others and give me the courage to do so.