Enough: Lent DevotionalsSample

ENOUGH: ALL OF US

“Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her?’” (John 4:27)

There are roughly 2.4 billion Christians in the world. These are divided into more than 9,000 official denominations. Yes – 9,000.

The problem is we all think that we’re right, and that everyone else is wrong.

Of course, the reality is that we’re probably all wrong about something – maybe even most things. Yet we love to create divisions; us versus them; you’re either in or you’re out. We think that we have a monopoly on the truth.

What Jesus showed over and over again, however, was that He saw no divisions. He associated with the people He wasn’t meant to associate with. He knew the truth, which is that all of us, regardless of race, gender, social class, even beliefs, are children of God, loved and accepted. The flow of the Spirit is towards inclusion. There is no us and them, there is only us – all of us.

God doesn’t do favorites; God doesn’t do boundaries. And neither should we.

Loving Father, thank You that You love each of us exactly as we are. Thank You that You do not see the labels that society places on us; You look beyond the surface to see our shining souls. Help us to see others the way You see them: as miracles worthy of love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Gideon Heugh, Tearfund