You CAN Sit With Us

Have you ever seen those cheeky graphic tees with the phrase "You Can't Sit With Us" plastered boldly across the chest? Personally, the cute factor of such an isolating phrase is lost on me, but maybe I'm still working through some residual pain of being that middle-school-aged girl who truly was uninvited.

I'm thankful my Savior would never say that to me. In fact, if Jesus had worn graphic tees back in his earth-inhabiting days, I'm sure His would have said, "You CAN sit with us." And the invitation would have been real and all-inclusive. That's just how Jesus lived his life; he made a pointed effort to notice the unnoticed and call the unworthy to do big things with their lives.

Romans 5:11 says that because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we have been made "Friends of God."

You guys, we're in. We're worthy. Not because of anything we can do but because of everything Jesus did. I'm blown away by this title: Friend of God. My natural inclination is to question my place in Jesus' group, to feel I haven't earned my spot, or worry Jesus might notice I've crept into his circle and decide to cast me out.

But Jesus will never do that to you or me. He's the best friend we could ever have.

And because we have been eternally accepted by Him, our lives become part of something so much bigger than anything we could ever accomplish on our own:

Romans 5:2:
"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of UNDESERVED PRIVILEGE where we now stand, and we CONFIDENTLY and JOYFULLY look forward to sharing God's glory."
[emphasis added]

Being a friend of Jesus means so much more than just getting a front-row seat to all the incredible ways Jesus works and touches lives; it means that sometimes we get called onstage to play a significant part. We get to participate right alongside Jesus in getting our hands dirty and changing the world. As members of his crew, we have a purpose, and are delegated unique tasks by Him that only we can accomplish.

There is no one in this world that God can't use or doesn't want to use. There is not a person in this world that God doesn't desire a close friendship with. So if you're wondering where your place is, go ahead and approach Him with the confidence that you have already been called, and there's a seat saved for you.

Put yourself back in the cafeteria of middle school. Timid, and clutching your tray, you quickly scan the room for an empty seat near someone who desires your presence. To your surprise, instead of multiple tables scattered across the room, each surrounded by various cliques, there is just one large table. Everyone's favorite friend is seated at the head, and one empty chair is open next to Him. You make eye contact, and all your anxieties wash away. He smiles with radiant joy at the sight of you and waves you over to the empty chair right next to Him. His friends turn to see whom the object of His excitement is, and upon realizing it's you, excitedly join Him in welcoming you over.

He stands with sincerity as you approach, looks you in the eye, and says, "You can sit with us. You are wanted here."

>>published on bravegirlcommunity.com<<