August 29, 2024
Andrew Thompson
Dunbar Cave, Campus Pastor
Acts 2:44
Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
Have you ever found yourself "on the outside looking in?" I remember one summer my family went on a Carnival cruise for vacation. It was just me, my parents, and my two younger brothers. I do not remember exactly how old I was, but I do remember that I was young enough that I still thought of my brothers as nuisances to be avoided (you'll be happy to know I now see them both as good friends). In an effort to avoid my brothers on the claustrophobic ship I found some other kids that were around my age that I thought I could hang out with. The problem was that they all knew each other and were vacationing together. They had no room for the skinny, glasses-wearing kid from Louisiana to tag along with them. I experienced some of the most visceral rejection of my life when they confronted me about trying to follow them around (can't you tell by the way it still bothers me)!
I tell this story because it probably makes you recall a time in your life when you felt like you were not part of the group, or unwanted in a room. There is no place more lonely than a place where you are unwanted. That is why I find the church in Acts chapter 2 so fascinating, and inspiring! The believers in Acts 2 are known for their unique and inclusive fellowship. The only requirement to be a part of their group was to have a shared faith in Jesus as your savior. Nobody came around the believers and felt unwanted or like they were an inconvenience.
The church should not be a place where people experience rejection, but all too often that is exactly what people expect and experience from "Christians." I want to encourage you to be the kind of believer that welcomes people in and demonstrates a genuine care for them. Look for people who are often overlooked, sit by the person sitting by themselves, and pray that the Lord would help our church to be a pure reflection of the church we see in Acts chapter 2.
Dunbar Cave, Campus Pastor
Acts 2:44
Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
Have you ever found yourself "on the outside looking in?" I remember one summer my family went on a Carnival cruise for vacation. It was just me, my parents, and my two younger brothers. I do not remember exactly how old I was, but I do remember that I was young enough that I still thought of my brothers as nuisances to be avoided (you'll be happy to know I now see them both as good friends). In an effort to avoid my brothers on the claustrophobic ship I found some other kids that were around my age that I thought I could hang out with. The problem was that they all knew each other and were vacationing together. They had no room for the skinny, glasses-wearing kid from Louisiana to tag along with them. I experienced some of the most visceral rejection of my life when they confronted me about trying to follow them around (can't you tell by the way it still bothers me)!
I tell this story because it probably makes you recall a time in your life when you felt like you were not part of the group, or unwanted in a room. There is no place more lonely than a place where you are unwanted. That is why I find the church in Acts chapter 2 so fascinating, and inspiring! The believers in Acts 2 are known for their unique and inclusive fellowship. The only requirement to be a part of their group was to have a shared faith in Jesus as your savior. Nobody came around the believers and felt unwanted or like they were an inconvenience.
The church should not be a place where people experience rejection, but all too often that is exactly what people expect and experience from "Christians." I want to encourage you to be the kind of believer that welcomes people in and demonstrates a genuine care for them. Look for people who are often overlooked, sit by the person sitting by themselves, and pray that the Lord would help our church to be a pure reflection of the church we see in Acts chapter 2.
Posted in Daily Devos