The neighborhood kids ran down the sidewalk carrying baseball bats and gloves. He stood in the front yard and watched them laughing, doing what friends do, and being 12-year-old boys. He’s sure they saw him. How could they not? But, they didn’t act like it. And, they didn’t ask him to go with them to the park where there was a game every day after school. He had not played in one. His new glove stood posed on his hand, in plain sight, and ready for an invitation.
Left out. Alone. Again.
Do you ever feel this way? Like you are an outcast of a group and not invited to the party? Maybe it is your workplace or school or family. It can even be within the seemingly-friendly circle of a church congregation.
People can certainly make us feel excluded, as if we are not worthy of being included in their “club.” The fact is this: unless you are a living on some deserted island, you will have this happen in your human relationships.
But, there is no such thing in the family of God; it is all inclusive. When Jesus came to this earth, He endured many times of being treated like an outcast. He knows what it feels like. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.” (Isaiah 53:3, NLT) But, here’s the good news: if you have made Jesus your Lord and Savior, you are automatically a member of God’s “in crowd.” You have a place to belong. Always. Forever. And, there’s no better place to be. He came to this earth so that the gap between us and the Father would be bridged and so we never have to feel as if we are the family member on the outside looking in.
“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”
(Romans 8:16, NLT)
That means that God will never abandon you or pass you by or forget about you. You will never be considered to not be good enough to be on God’s team. Even if you have felt turned aside by the very people you counted on in this life, the Lord will not do that to you.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” (Psalm 27:10, NLT)
So, when you do feel left out by people, turn your focus on how much God loves you and that He will never leave your side. And, if you see someone feeling rejected and alone, do what you can to make them feel included and tell them about how the Lord has helped you in that area.
Blessing and Peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, Tammy
©2013 Tammy Maseberg All Rights Reserved
