In the middle of a long road trip, desperate for coffee, I stumbled into a McDonald’s, never anticipating what would happen. Conversation stopped, heads turned, and eyes locked on me with laser focus. The message screamed: I was not welcome in this small-town gathering spot. Have you felt like that – unwelcomed, or even unwanted? The truth is you are more than welcome here.
(Photo: Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
More Than Welcomed – From Before the Beginning
Our earthly families, friends, colleagues, or even strangers may make us feel unwelcome. But God chose us before the foundations of the world.
I admit this truth is so astounding it’s taking me time to understand.
These verses explain what I mean:
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)” Ephesians 1:4-6 (MSG)
So, you are more than welcome here. You are designed and planned for this world and life.
Chosen before the foundations of the earth, means I am not a mistake (and neither are you). We are welcomed by God.
And we are selected not for merely an inconsequential life but as a focus of God’s love.
My first reaction is I am not worthy of being the focus of God’s love.
I think I was more comfortable being the focus of the people in the fast-food place off the highway. Is this surprising?
Even though I was disconcerted, I understood their reaction. I did not agree with them. However, I clearly saw they did not like strangers.
As I have mulled being the focus of God’s love over (and over) in my mind, I have begun to understand. I am not the focus of His love because of who I am.
He loved you and me before we were born. So, this great love is a function of who He is -not me, or you.
And that makes the truth much easier to digest. (At least for me.)
Welcomed Into Healing and Transformation
“To be made whole and holy by his love”, is another portion of the verse.
My mind conjures up a picture of deep healing, or of a complete transformation.
I am starting to see some signs of these changes in me. I think the process will take some time.
But God is able and wants to transform us.
He encourages us to get to know Him so that we can participate in the process. Click here to get ideas on how to learn more about God.
And that opportunity makes me feel welcomed and loved. Do you feel the same way?
And then the last portion of these verses!
Adopted and Welcomed into God’s Family
“Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)” Ephesians 1:6 (MSG)
Another undeniable, almost unbelievable, beacon of welcome.
Chosen for adoption into God’s family through Jesus Christ, we don’t have to live alone.
He invites us into His overarching plan; rooted in His desire to adopt us into His family – through the love of Jesus Christ.
God thought about us and invited us into His plan. Long before we were born.
The truth is you, and me, are more than welcome here. We are:
- Loved
- Invited into healing and transformation
- Adopted into God’s family through belief in Jesus
This truth makes me stand a little taller and feel a lot more contentment. How about you?