On Friday I participated in a meme and after reading everyone else’s posts I had realized I got the writing prompt wrong.
*face palm*
Sigh** talk about embarrassing. What a way to make a first impression, huh?
Now that I see the real theme of the meme and reading everyone’s thoughts it really made me want to write again.
The prompt was “join”.
Honestly, I hesitate in joining much of anything these days. The word “join” makes me think of those who haven’t… joined. Are they outsiders?
But I read one woman’s thoughts on how Jesus extends an invitation… “follow me”.
So I looked at this word “join” from a different perspective… include.
In Revelation the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come”. (Rev 22:17)
It’s all the same, you’re included, you’re welcome, come with us.
Not everyone accepts this open invitation and that’s ok too. When the rich man declined the Lord’s invitation, Jesus didn’t condemn him, chase him down, or bully him into following him. He let him go in peace.
Reminds me of the father of two sons… they were both free to do as they wished. One left with all his inheritance while the other stayed to serve his father.
Their story reveals a division, a judgment among them. Only the judgment was not from the father, it was from the son who stayed.
He was angry that his father welcomed the other brother home with such extravagant grace. He got a party!
If we’re not careful, we can become just like that brother…grumbling about who is included and we end up rejecting those the Father graciously welcomes with extravagant grace. If people don’t live up to our standards of what a “good Christian” is, we’re quick to turn them away from the banquet table.
Our actions shout, “You’re NOT welcome”.
Even our silence can send the wrong message, “You’re not good enough to get a response from me”.
So I like this word, “join”.
You’re included.
You’re welcome here.
It’s not easy to join others. We are hesitant..apprehensive…will they really welcome me? Will they let me stay? Will they respond to me and affirm me?
And even though we have the Lord, we still need each other. Even though HE says we’re included, we still long for others to confirm that we’re welcome.
I hope you’ll forgive me for my mistake, my misunderstanding… I thought the prompt was “encouragement”.
Sigh***
Lisa-Jo says this about 5 Minute Friday
“No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation.
Unscripted. Unedited. Real.”
Well I sure proved that one right. teeheehee
Sisterlisa
You never get it wrong if you write what’s on your heart, right? So glad you “joined” 5 minute Friday because I love this take on the prompt. We forget what we’ve been invited to, I think.