... Philippians……
"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead".
This month I want to look at who we are, and how others are included around us.
"Who am I that the highest King would welcome me?"
When we think of this song it seems like a really big question. Who are we that gives us the opportunity the be welcomed to God? What makes us stand out amongst the crowd? It's a question I have been thinking about on my discernment journey.
God's love is so, so vast that actually He welcomes us all. That's something we must remember "All" who come in faith are welcomed. That one word "All" is so important in today's world. We have a community that is so diverse that we must welcome everyone. If God has welcomed us then who are we to turn others away.
Being a community that welcomes is so important, we are lucky to have that feeling of "belonging" be that as part of a family, a group of friends or part of the church family. We must remember that the words that leave our lips have a lasting impression. We must love our neighbours as ourselves. That means taking time for yourself and loving who you are. Then to love them around you.
I know it can be difficult sometimes to love everyone all the time, and sometimes we need to take time to recharge our social batteries. Jesus himself didn't put people into categories and choose who He worshiped to or in fact who He performed miracles on.
I'm reminded of the miracle of the leper. Jesus had just delivered the Sermon on the Mount, He was on his way down when they asked to be cleansed. Jesus didn't say no. He didn't grumble about who he was, what he had or where he come from. He simply touched the man (That many wouldn't even go near) and cleansed him.
We are shown over and over that Jesus doesn't judge. He is happy to love everyone one of us. Whomever we are and wherever we are from.
So go forth this Autumn and love thy neighbours as thy self.
Amen.
Ashley
