| Are You
Good Enough for God?
It's a typical scene...a group of kids at the
mall, dressed in all black, high leather combat boots, holes in
their stockings, pink hair cut in a mohawk, dog-collar and chains,
and maybe even a few tattoos thrown in for good measure. This is
one big group of losers, right?
As you watch more closely, you see another kid
show up, and join the group among hard embraces, smiles, and love.
You realize they really aren't that much different from the rest
of us. They need and embrace acceptance, attention, caring.
What if you knew that 3 of them were in a weekly
bible study at school? What if you knew that those 3 were trying
to reach the others with the Love of Christ, despite their attire,
tattoos, funky hair, and "wild attitude". Would that shock
you? Would you say that they aren't worthy of God's Love?
The apostle Paul tells us that we are all Citizens
of Heaven (Philippians
3:20), which means ALL ARE WELCOME. Now, this doesn't mean ANYTHING
GOES, but anyone that desires to accept
the gift of Jesus Christ is accepted, despite their outer appearance.
God only sees the heart.
Why as Christians do we insist on protecting
God? Would you feel comfortable inviting one of these kids to church
with you? If so, why not? Would they not be accepted? Would people
think they aren't good enough to be in God's House because of how
they look. Maybe. God doesn't need a protector. His message is love,
forgiveness, acceptance, and that Love is not dependent on starched
shirts, clean skin, and prim and proper hair.
Remember when you were in grade school and played
sports on the playground where teams had to be picked? Each team
had a captain and he or she picked a kid at a time. How did it feel
to be the first one picked? The last one? God will pick you first
every time, no matter how good you are, what you look like, how
high you can jump or how fast you can run. That is how powerful
His love is.
So, the next time you are in the mall and you
see these kids, remember that they are children of God. We are called
to love them just as Christ loved the church. Who are you bringing
to Church this Sunday? Who are you praying for?
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