On The Outside Looking In

Our dog and cat both like to sit outside on our back porch and look in through the french doors.  When they're both outside together, they are fine.  But when the cat is in but the dog is out, the dog gets a look on her face of jealousy and hurt.  Like she's saying, "Why does he get accepted in when I have to stay out?"  She will sit at the door and stare in and watch every move the cat makes.  She hates being all alone on the outside looking in. 

Don't we hate being left out, too?  Do you remember the days in elementary school when the team captains had to choose teams in P.E.?  Do you remember fearing that you wouldn't get chosen?  Or how about when a classmate was throwing a party, and it seemed like you were the last one to get an invitation.  It would stink to show up at school on Monday to hear all of your friends talking about what a great time they'd had together over the weekend, but you hadn't been invited to join in the fun.

As adults are we any better about ostracizing those around us?  Maybe we don't do it intentionally but aren't we prone to stay within our little groups?  Within our comfort zones?  Perhaps we're reluctant to reach out and include others we wouldn't normally include because we're afraid they'll reject us.  Or perhaps we just don't want to cause waves - its just easier to stick with those that we're comfortable with.  Or we tell ourselves we just don't have the time for one more friend.

But what if that one person you're not including, not inviting, not recognizing, is the one person that needs you the most?  What if they're the one that never got picked in P.E. or never got invited to the party that all of their classmates were attending?  As Christians we have to remember that we are the only Jesus that some people will ever see.  So ask yourself the popular question - What would Jesus do?  You know what He would do.  He'd reach out to them.  He'd invite them.  He'd include them.  He'd wrap His loving arms around them and leave them with no doubt that they'd never be left out again.

Is there someone you've been avoiding approaching?  Perhaps there is someone God has laid on your heart for you to reach out to and you've been putting it off?  If not, ask Him to show you someone.  Chances are there's someone closer than you think.  And you can be the difference they so desperately need.  You can be the one that puts an end to their being on the outside looking in.

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."  ~ Proverbs 18:24