Thursday, August 24, 2023
It’s the start of a new school year. Our youngest daughter is entering 3rd grade, our son is headed to 7th grade, and our oldest daughter is beginning high school. The two oldest are in unfamiliar surroundings, where teenagers lurk like sharks to attack anyone who doesn’t fit the standards set by the school clicks. It’s a populace ready to judge and, sometimes, oust you for not playing sports, sitting at the wrong lunch table, daring to study, or wearing a pair of “What are thooooooose?!”
I remember those days. We’ve all been strangers among peers at some point, and we all know what it’s like to show favoritism to a select group of people. Yes, even the kids at the “wrong” lunch table show partiality. It’s important to remember how you felt when you were on the short end of the exclusion stick—then, you’re able to move through life, seeing people as God views them.
Acts 10:34-36
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
It’s easy to be standoffish to a stranger or an outsider. We tend to accept what we know and grow in that familiarity until it’s the only thing that seems right. Like-minded people have similar opinions of how the world works. If we’re not careful, we can begin to misconstrue these ideas as being God’s truth, when in reality, it may simply be our own thoughts. We must always remember to center our thoughts on what God gave us through Christ.
Do you know what Christianity did by spreading the gospel? It erased the world’s idea of God and revealed God’s love. At his core, God doesn’t see your popularity, political party, nationality, or color.
God views you through your heart, which is actively seeking him the way he is seeking you. Think about that the next time your limited perception stops you from learning the heart of a stranger.
Questions:
Do you avoid sharing your faith with strangers? Do you pray for people who are different from you?
Next Steps:
Invite someone new to a weekend service. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at church. Get to know their interests and learn what they need right now. Take that opportunity to ask them to join a Group, or perhaps you can join their Group.
Prayer:
Day 11 Prayer Focus - For our Schools (Mark 10:14)
Dear God, you said to “let the children come to you,” showing that you have a big heart for children. I pray for safety for the children, teachers, staff, and administrators as they embark upon a new school year. I pray for the district leaders as they make crucial decisions, that you would grant them great wisdom. May your followers be a positive influence in their schools, reflecting the hope that we have in you. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
1 John 4:10-11
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.