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Worth – Part 3

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young — a place near Your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3

That feeling of loneliness we mentioned yesterday – remember it? For some people this is all they’ve known. Long-term friendlessness is a kind of deep suffering. How unrecognizable is that in a world created by a Father God? If you’ve been in the Church long, you’ll know it’s supposed to look out for the homeless and poor, dedicatedly seek out society’s forgotten people and invite them to have the best place in the Church.

For outcasts, a real welcome to Church is more than just finding a home. It can mean feeling human for the first time. Chronic loneliness also includes the single mother, working and seeing only her children, 24/7. And the socially awkward, unemployed kid who shows up and mumbles when you say hello. And what about those with severe autism? Jesus has an especially wide welcome for all of those we think are beyond our reach. He came to ‘…seek and to save that which was lost’ (Luke 19:10). That includes those we count as too small or too seemingly insignificant for God to go looking for. He wants to give them a home in a safe place, in close proximity to others. And He wants other Christians to be serious about welcoming them there. Do you? Will you? The reason and the power to do so comes from Him who continually welcomes you. The forgiveness for when you fail to do so comes also from Him, from His grace, from His unending love and welcome for you.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming me. Help me be a friend, be You, to those who are lonely and forgotten. In Jesus’ Name, Amen