Today’s scripture: Romans 16:1-16 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen):
Whenever I hear the term “Christian”, I admit, my first thoughts are negative. I think things like: judgmental, legalistic, critical, hypocritical and mean. That’s’ particularly troubling since I identify as a Christian. The sad thing is that I know many people feel this way with justifiable cause. I wonder where we went wrong. When did we get this reputation?
In Romans 16:1-16, Paul is asking the Church of Rome to give a Christianly welcome to those who have been of service. Paul acknowledges them by name and boasts of the work that they have done in the name of the Lord. That seems oddly similar to a vision I have of how it will be when we enter heaven.
Imagine, as we enter the pearly gates of heaven how we will be greeted. The streets will be lined with people I know and love. Every elderly and ill person I have helped will be standing in full health with arms wide open. My family and friends will stand in the front awaiting my arrival. No judgment, anger or unforgiveness. Just love and joy fill our hearts. Jesus embraces me with a light and a warmth I’ve never felt, but that is supernaturally familiar. He holds my hand and announces: “I introduce you to my friend, Lynnette. She has spent many years dedicating her life and talents to Me and I love her.” Then He turns and looks at me and says, “Welcome home, and well done you good and faithful servant!” Cheering erupts, and music and dancing overtake the streets. Everyone is so happy to see me and I them. Oh, what a glorious feeling to be loved and welcomed!
Again, I ask where did we go wrong? When did our welcomes turn into cold disregards and superficial greetings? Maybe the world hardened our hearts. Rejection has a way of doing that. It’s hard not to dish out what we think people deserve, but, it’s even harder to give what we feel people don’t deserve. In other words, it’s difficult to be welcoming to people who have been unwelcoming to us. For example, I am not allowed into my stepfather’s home. He feels that my marriage to my wife is a heinous sin against God. As a Muslim, he can never be around me or associate with me. When I was a child, he was very abusive toward me. Recently, he has tried to make amends. One of the things that I have decided to do, to facilitate healing and peace, is to invite him into my home. Although it is a scary thought sometimes, I really feel that he may need to know what it feels like to be undeservingly welcomed. He has never taken me up on it, but the offer still stands.
Prayer for the day: God, help us to be more Christ like in our everyday walk. Help us to be welcoming to others in order to reflect Your love and light to those who may not know You. Give us the courage and the grace to welcome those who have rejected us. Bless us with the discernment and wisdom to learn how to be welcoming to those who have hurt us and help us initiate the process of healing. Amen.
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