Recently, I was visiting with a member of our community who expressed that she was thinking about moving away because since coming to town she had never really felt a part of our town. I can’t help but think that she’s not alone in that feeling. These days everybody stays so busy, it is hard not to get wrapped up in your own schedule, and if a person isn’t already a part of that, you just don’t see them.
That is one of the reasons why the church is so important. The church brings people together who otherwise would never have anything in common. It isn’t so much about us, though. It’s about Jesus. He is the one who left his “comfort zone” in Heaven and came to Earth so that we could be a part of His family. He invites us to come to Him for the rest, comfort, and home that we need.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).
From the very beginning, the church has been a group where anybody can belong because of the love and grace of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:41-47). It could be that you feel like an outsider. We all do from time to time, and the truth is that we all would be outsiders to Heaven were it not for Jesus. Consider this our invitation to you to be a part of something greater than any of us.