The Power of Welcome

My young daughter and her friend started theater camp this week - with dozens of people they've never seen before.

Both of these middle schoolers talked about how hard it is to get to know the other campers. Everyone has come from other schools, different grades, and other neighborhoods - these girls talked about how awkward it is to break the ice with strangers.

Ya, we get it.

We all worry about what other people think of us, if we can really be accepted for who we are, and welcomed for the unique presence we bring.

In fact, when it comes to welcoming, the things we find easiest to welcome seem to be worry, anxiety, and fear. Our minds are constantly buzzing with the negative: not only about being accepted, but, Will things work out with my job? Will my relationships make it in the long run? What about the medical challenges I'm facing?

But Jesus has something important to say about the things we welcome: He asks us to welcome him and all the things he stands for.

That means we don't welcome fear, worry, anxiety, and pressure - we welcome abundance, possibility, blessing, hopefulness, and the power to overcome.

Today I'd like to invite you to welcome some of these things into your life.

What if we welcomed new relationships - seeing them as the blessings they can be?

What if we welcomed other people's advice - if we took a bite of humble pie and really listened to the guidance others may have for us?

What if we welcomed help, we know we'd rather give it than take it, but what blessings might await us if we took others up on their offers of assistance?

And what if we welcomed new opportunity, instead of shutting things down because we've never done it before, what if we were more open to new possibilities?

The abundant life begins by welcoming the right things into our lives.

Be welcoming, be blessed.

Lose Yourself

Little Rachel was born an only child to a pair of hard-working and socially prominent teachers. She grew up in a home that was constantly abuzz with visiting academics and local luminaries - entertained by bright, and committed parents whose schedules necessitated employing a full-time nanny named Hannah, to tend to little Rachel.

One day, Hannah noticed that young Rachel was exhibiting some troubling signs of maturity. She had begun to talk down to her friends. She was getting mean, bossy, and selfish. It seemed that Rachel had noticed how well-respected and recognized her parents were and it was going to her head.

Her nanny wondered what to do.

So one day, while walking through the park, Hannah steered Rachel over to an injured bird, lying on the ground, with a broken wing, unable to fly.

Hannah scooped up the bird in a shoe box, which immediately captivated young Rachel, who was shown how to feed and water the injured creature.

At every turn in the ensuing days, Rachel could be found caring for the bird, not just feeding, but singing, reading, and talking to this little feathered one. Rachel used her allowance to buy provisions and had given up video games and her iPhone to spend more time taking care of the sickly bird.

Weeks later, the bird was strong enough to fly and with great celebration, was released into a nearby park.

But not only had the bird's condition improved, so had Rachel's. Tending to that injured creature had produced a noticeable change in Rachel's demeanor - she was happier with herself, less critical of friends and more eager to be helpful and supportive of others.

It's as if she had discovered what you and I will learn this Sunday in the words of Jesus:

“If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me."

When we follow the world's advice of 'looking after number one' - ourselves, first, we sooner or later find out we've been sold a bill of goods.

It's not about the stuff: possessions, power, or prestige - history is littered with the tragic stories of people who spent their lives in full-throttle pursuit of them only to discover how unfulfilling they really are.

Don't live your life for that, it's a trap.

Almighty God is found in humble service.

The king is found in the servant, nobility in humility.

Go out and help somebody today.

Call a lonely friend.

Visit someone sick.

There's somebody in need just waiting to hear from you.

Losing yourself is the best way to find yourself.

Why You're So Rich

Playing in the yard the other day we came across a Roly Poly.

It's one of those little gray insects with an armadillo back that curls up into a ball when frightened.

'Why does that bug do that?' asked the 4-year-old. 'It's how it survives,' came that answer. 'That's a prehistoric insect, it's been around for millions of years. God made that bug that way to play its important role in the ecosystem. It's thrived, multiplied, and helped this big, beautiful world become what it is today .'

Ever wonder why God made you, you?

Why did God give you your gifts?

Why are you so rich and powerful?

OK, maybe not a millionaire, governor, or CEO - but remember, 93% of the world does not own a car - so it's relative - but my point is that God has gifted us with all we have to equip us to play or own crucial roles in the health and vibrancy of our ecosystem.

This weekend we will hear Jesus talk with critics who are confused, like we can get, and think that their power and wealth might be used for status, and not service. They think their gifts of intelligence, health, and influence were given to them to solely make them better - when, of course, it was given to them to make the world better.

Friends, if you're wealthy enough to be watching this video, God has been good to you. God has blessed you. God has chosen you to play an irreplaceable role in the betterment of the world. May the good Lord give us the wisdom and courage to use our strength not for status, but for service.

Chris Yaw

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