Gospel Growth

Saturday, Jan 14

TODAY’S READING: Romans 15:1-21

DEVOTIONAL: “GROWING THROUGH WELCOMING"
by Luke Anderson, Elder

When I was fresh out of college, starting my career, I began looking for a church to get plugged into. I visited lots of churches. Many were friendly, but I was looking for something more. I was 800 miles from family and 100 miles from anyone I knew. I was on my own.

One Sunday morning, I was running late and hurriedly entered the doors of one of the last churches on my list. I tried to sneak in the back to not bother anyone. A gentleman greeted me and said he was glad I made it. He then showed me where I could sit and said he would talk to me after the service.

Sure enough, the same man found me afterwards and invited me over for Sunday dinner with his family. (Being young and poor, I wasn’t about to refuse a free meal!) But they not only welcomed me into their home; they welcomed me into their family. I knew at that moment what I was looking for: a family away from home. And by God’s grace, David became a mentor and a lifelong friend.

God loves a welcoming heart. In the Gospels, we see Jesus welcome children (Mark 10), tax collectors (Luke 19), prostitutes (John 4), and even the castaways of society (Luke 17). Jesus met everyone as they were; not after they cleaned themselves up, but as they were.

That’s why Paul tells us in Romans 15:7, “Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

We have been blessed with a wonderful church family at Riverwood. However, we can become comfortable with the friendships we have already built. This might lead to inadvertently ignoring new faces that show up on Sundays. You may not oppose new people coming, but we might lack motivation to truly welcome them.

Sadly, this complacency can also spread outside the church. When blessed with strong relationships, we can become reluctant to include others into our lives. It is important we continue to welcome those around us. I know it can be hard, but a welcoming face is rarely rejected. My family has moved many times, and I remember how much I appreciated being welcomed when entering a new place.

So tomorrow, greet someone you don’t know. And here’s a tip: as you extend your hand in greeting, give them your name to get theirs. And if you are bad with names, repeat their name back along with “Nice to meet you.” You never know who God will put in your life. It just may be a lonely young college grad trying to figure out his life, and all he needs is a home-cooked meal to set him on the right path.

PRAYER:
Father, You have welcomed me into your family. Help me welcome others into my life and the Riverwood family. Empower me to overcome any hesitancies that linger within, so I may be more like Jesus.

I also pray this for the whole Riverwood family. Make us a church that welcomes people as they are and invites them to follow You.

Feel free to open your Notes app to write down a thought or two from today's reading or write out your own prayer.
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