Great Welcome

Isaiah 42.5-7

⁵ This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
⁶ “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
⁷ to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

We hear God call us to be his people and follow him.  Long before the era of the church, before Jesus walked with the disciples, we see that there were words from God calling the people to follow in a way that brings others into following as well.  In Isaiah we see that we are called to be made into a covenant for the people.  And in case we wanted to limit that, God adds that it is also a light for the Gentiles.  It is for the ones who are cast aside, the blind, the lame, the prisoners, anyone we want to put outside of our little kingdoms.

It makes me wonder what we still think it takes to belong within the church.  Two of us in particular have been here about a month.  In a daring way, I might say that we feel like we belong.  I probably should have asked if that was the perception of both of us.  But we come in a different way than most.  What does it take for us to feel like a new person belongs?  What does it take before a person feels that belonging?  Harder for us to tell on that second though.  But questions we can consider as we see others come into our midst in various ways. 

I also noted on the notes that were posted during Lent that there were several that spoke of wanting that feeling of belonging.  Wanting to be in community.  Something we all need.  A place where we belong.  Not in the simple words of the song from “Cheers”, with everyone knowing our name.  But in the much deeper way that we belong.  We are part of what is going on.  We are wanted and needed.  We are part of one body, or one family.  God’s call on me says I belong.  God’s call on us says we each belong.  And God’s call on us says we help all to sense that they belong.  This is who we are in God’s grace to us.

Prayer

Lord, you have called us to follow as your people.  You have called us to show life and grace to all around us.  Lead us in showing your grace to those who have not seen, who are still bound up in sin and brokenness.  Help us to bring the release of your grace and your Spirit as we have our hand in yours, being held in your hands that never let us go.  Amen.

Song – Put Your Hand in the Hand