As I write “You Are Included,” I remember a special event several years ago.

I was finishing a book manuscript in a bed and breakfast when I met a lovely couple staying in the next room. In the dining area, they invited me to join them at their table. I learned they were on their honeymoon through a previous, introductory conversation. So, I declined. Still, I felt special to be invited.

The next day, they invited me again! I told them my reservation – “You’re on your honeymoon, and I don’t want to barge in!” They reassured they wanted to visit with me. Suddenly, I had courage to say, “yes.” Subsequently, I found myself delightfully included at their table.

This is #3 in a series on hope. It’s been encouraging exploring hope for two articles. Check them out. (See below.)

A Fact About Life

It’s a fact of life. People long to be included. Additionally, they desire fellowship. Matter of fact, everyone needs love.

Interestingly, everyone hopes for special life events. Plus, people crave meaningful relationships.

It’s painful to be excluded, ostracized, or alienated. Plus, it’s lonely. Basically, you feel “less than.” Or “not good enough.” Actually, it can be quite wounding.

Yes, it’s a fact of life. Everyone wants to be included.

• Think of a time you longed to be included?
• Recall a scenario when you were excluded, ostracized, or alienated.
• Now, on the opposite end – do you include others? Strategically, do you involve someone on the outside?

 

By the way, did you know you are included?

You Are Included

God includes you. Additionally, He loves you. God invites you to be in His family. Interestingly, God wants fellowship with you. What an amazing privilege. Remarkably, His invitation gets even better. He invites you to be His friend forever!

Consequently, now you can:

• Let yourself be included.
• Equally, relax into this safe arrangement.
• Plus, enjoy meaningful relationship with God every day.
• Count on God’s friendship.
• Trust every promise He gives you.
• Simultaneously, share this same hope with others.

 

So, be included! And include others.

Include Others

Incidentally, when you include others, you boost community hope.

CONSIDER: Jesus eliminates divisions, barriers, and dividing walls that are sadly part of this world. Equally, He wants you to do the same.

• In what ways are you pulling barriers down?
• What more you can do?

 

Amazingly, Jesus invites all people into His hope. Additionally, He declares all people are equals. Even more, Jesus levels the playing field. In His view, everyone deserves hope.

So, include everyone.

Action Points For Hope

These action points increase awareness you are included –

1. Choose the perspective – you are included.
2. Remember you belong.
3. Come near to God.
4. Emmanuel means “God With You.” His very name promises relationship.
5. Rejoice! Gratitude connects you to hope.
6. God says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6)
7. Think about yourself the way God sees you.

 

Remarkably, if you trust in Jesus, you have hope! Subsequently, this is a wonderful inclusion – to be –

• Wanted.
• Welcomed.
• Valued.
• Loved.

 

Choose awareness and hope.

Jesus Is Your Peace

Eph. 2:14 says, “He, Himself, is your peace.” How amazing! Jesus offers His peace to you in every life situation. Additionally, He offers His Spirit to live inside you.

These action points connect you to peace –

• Trust Jesus in every development.
• Next, acknowledge Jesus is your peace.
• Then, accept His peace by faith.
• Finally, always remember God keeps His promise of peace, no matter what your situation. Remember “He, Himself, is your peace . . .” 

 

When you accept God’s peace, you welcome hope.

Look at these two additional verses:

1. Phil. 4:7 says, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

How are peace and hope connected? Strategically, God’s peace is interwoven into His hope. You are included – in peace and hope. This makes sense –

• Hope establishes peace.
• Peace rolls into hope.

 

This cycle repeats.

In summary, your heart has hope when you are at peace.

2. 1 Cor. 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

This promise is for you. Matter of fact, it’s your future. Incidentally, you cannot imagine what God has in your future. His surprises and blessings last forever. Plus, as you go forward with His perspective, you are filled with new hope.

God includes you in His eternal surprises and blessings.

Do – Don’t Do These Things

Before we look at “Do’s and “Don’ts” . . .

Now, let’s talk about the do’s and don’ts. Interestingly, sometimes people exclude themselves. Subsequently, to embrace being included, it means you will do some things and not do other things.

Don’t do these things –

1. Pull into yourself.
2. Push others away as they reach to you.
3. Shut down communication.
4. Push God away.
5. Fear what comes next.
6. Hide where you feel safe.
7. Assume others don’t want you around.
8. Conclude God isn’t interested in your life and problems.

 

Do these things –

1. Receive invitations from others.
2. See yourself as included.
3. Reciprocate relationship.
4. Welcome communication.
5. Pray for others as you think of them.
6. Include others that cross your path.
7. Pause! Invite God’s peace into your heart.
8. Hope in God – actively and sincerely – by faith.

 

God Includes Everyone

Incidentally, God makes something quite clear. Jer. 22:3 says, “Do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow . . .”

Consider two possible scenarios.

1. You must move for various reasons. Perhaps to another state, province, or country. You’d be desperate for new connections. Initially, you’d be lonely. Plus, you’d need help to set up your new life.

2. Sadly, you may have become orphaned – or widowed with no one to help.

Whatever the community or national rules to properly vet newcomers – or programs set up to help those who have no one, God says this –

• Treat others with kindness.
• Give hope.
• Care for those who need support.

 

Reality check

Good thing God takes the position He does! His directives include “resident aliens, the fatherless, and the widow.” Equally, they include you.

Imagine the fear and helplessness to not be included. Contrastingly, imagine how hope rises when you are included.

Subsequently, careful processes and programs ensure people are properly vetted and treated fairly in communities. Regardless, compassion and kindness ensure you treat others like Jesus treats you.

God Includes You – Whoever You Are

God includes you just as you are – who ever you are. Consider:

1. First, are you kind to others outside your circle?
2. Next, do you welcome someone from another country into your community?
3. Equally, do you receive someone different than you in your workplace?
4. Soberly, have you considered – you are “different” – in someone else eyes?

 

Thankfully, God welcomes everyone who trusts Jesus. Additionally, He vets people through the cross. Since, God is good and kind, He gives hope and peace to all.

QUESTIONS: Are you kind? Do you include people different from you? Further, do you join Jesus to care for needs of others often overlooked?

“I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (Jn. 13:15)

So, include others and care for their needs.

You Can’t See Hope

Rom. 8:24 says, “. . . hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” 

Oddly, it seems people want to see hope. However, it’s invisible. As a result, you can’t see it. Subsequently, this means you must embrace hope by faith.

Similarly, hope is a link to what you need. Additionally, it’s an opportunity to engage blessings as you trust in God for them.

Consequently, what practical ways can you include others? Additionally, what will you do to meet needs of orphans, widows, and others in need?

Application Thoughts And Questions

1. Do you ever feel not included?
2. Equally, do you believe God loves you?
3. Incidentally, God invites you to know Him more. Do you accept His invitation?
4. Naturally, why not accept peace Jesus gives? Plus, why not welcome His hope?
5. Include newcomers. Actually, follow Christ’s example to be kind to everyone.

 

Follow these action points to establish hope in your life:

• Say “yes” to God’s invitation to come close to Him.
• Also, spend time in His Word daily.
• Determine to trust and obey God in hard times.
• Equally, open doors to new friendships.
• Reciprocate relationships and communication.
• Strategically, include others.
• Live in hope for what you do not yet have.
• Finally, practice gratitude continually.

 

This Series On Hope

1. A Message of Hope
2. Pinhole of Hope
3. You Are Included (this article)
4. Change Me, Lord! – New Hope (coming soon)
5. Strong Hope (coming soon)
6. Let Go. It’ll Be O.K. (coming soon)

 

Helpful Resource

* Portions of this content come from our book – More e-Pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through all Paul’s letters that follow 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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