Come On In

…let s go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him… Hebrews 10:22NLT

When I came across this verse in my daily email my mind started wandering. God says ‘you do not need an appointment, come on in’
God is welcoming me with open arms. So what then is holding me back? Do I fear He will push me away once I have stepped closer? Am I afraid He will be mad and reject me?

These are my fears and thoughts I am reflecting onto Him. God has called me in, it is I who have created the barrier.

Then I started to think about what some participants have said about walking into that first Knit and Crochet Bible Study. They entered hesitantly, fearful, and very unsure of what they would find behind those doors. Some, having been rejected before, felt certain they would receive the same at this gathering. There were words of “I don’t knit/crochet well enough to join in” or “I don’t know very much about the Bible”, and even “I wouldn’t know what to wear to such an event”.

As leaders and participants, it is our responsibility to be sure all are welcome. Don’t show favoritism; James addresses this is in chapter 2 verses 1-4:

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

This story could easily be translated also using terms like ” one comes in with the highest quality yarn and needles while the other carried a very low grade brand” or “one was a pastor’s wife and the other had never even touched a Bible”. It can be hard to gravitate toward one over the other.

I came up with a few steps to help alleviate fear for the newcomer. What other steps would you add to this list? (feel free to add your comments below)

 

Be sure to welcome them at the door

Help her to find a seat

Introduce her to those in the room

Ask about her knit/crochet skills

Share a bit about what to expect in the group

 

As your group develops, word will spread that you are a group to be trusted, a group that glorifies God and honors people.

You’ve opened your arms to others entering your presence in your group; enter into God’s presence fully trusting. He doesn’t care what you are wearing or your knowledge level.  He only cares that you enter in with a sincere heart fully trusting Him.