If I mentioned 3 words, would you know personally what I mean? Would these words conjure up for you the same type of emotions that swirl around in my heart, too? The Cool Club. Three words that embody what I was never a part of. Even writing this puts me back to the halls of junior high and awkwardness ever abundant. It puts me back to that broken heart from being excluded. Not fun.
As an adult I see the cool club all around me. And it makes me so mad. I even see it in the church. I see it as an "us verses the world" mentality as we swoop away in our comfort zones and with our perfect facades knowing that we are "ok" because we are "saved" and "going to heaven."
Oh it is so much more than that!
Press In and Praise Him...
But the Eternal’s goodness is not exclusive—it is offered freely to all. His mercy extends to all His creation. (Psalm 145:9 THE VOICE)
The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. (Psalm 145:9)
The veil.
The veil that contained God's upmost holiness in His temple tore in two when Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross. (Matthew 27:50-54)
God's absolute, manifest glory from that moment forward stood available to any and all who would come to Him. Free to all, yes, as God's word says. Available to His entire creation.
Not one excluded.
But it is more than saying the sinners prayer and declaring with an "us verses the world" heart that we are now "saved." Oh yes. We are saved from eternal separation from the Almighty. Yes. But the more comes in to play when we take our place and take part in God's kingdom. It is here and now.
There are people to serve.
There is love to first pour out to God and then to our neighbor...even when it hurts and when it is uncomfortable.
There are those who feel excluded, not worthy, unacceptable.
Is your heart burdened for those who live excluded...not knowing His inclusive mercy and love?
This is my prayer these days. For my heart to soften and for my self righteous pride to dissolve.
Will we allow God to use us, yes US, to partake in His work. Will we worship by exclaiming to God's creation that He freely extends mercy. They are not excluded. Will we go the distance and walk alongside and lead them to the cross to be included? Jesus did the work. We have the privilege of witnessing the miracle, the transformation. Our faith and worship will grow stronger in the process!
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Psalm 145 was the original inspiration for Just RISE UP!: A Call To Make Jesus Famous. Want to be a part of the generation who rises up for His renown? Check out the book HERE.