Most of us don’t have much trouble finding people who are overlooked and not accepted by others in society. Bu once you recognize and find these people that need to be accepted, will you receive them? Once you see them as a gift like Jesus does, will you engage with them and pour into them? Will you give them access to your life? Will you let them into your heart? Will you let them into your story? Will you let them in to see how you’re processing what's going on in your life? Would you let them in family?
How are we ever going to speak the love and purpose of Jesus into people's lives from a distance? We won't; you have to be close. You’ll find it's really difficult to get close to a person and not see what God sees inside them, to see them as a valuable gift.
After you recognize them and receive them, you also need to help them discover their value. We do this by loving people, encouraging them, reminding them of what Scripture says of them, inviting them to small group or community event, and speaking into them. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we remember what God has done for us and the beauty of walking in God’s purpose for us, so that we, like Christ, can accept all people. Our role is to be the ambassadors of Jesus, to love people the way he does. And we have to do that together as the body of Christ.
Discussion/Reflection Question: Who is God putting in your path for you to receive and help?
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