Party Starters
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
Insight
If life were like a party, many of us would be guilty of orchestrating an elaborate shindig where we are the guest of honor, and all the festivities are about us. Our parties (and lives) tend to celebrate our achievements and accomplishments where we make much about ourselves. Very few people tend to come to these types of parties because frankly, they aren't much fun.
If we don't find ourselves alone on the dance floor, the only other people who are joining us are individuals who look, act, think, and behave just like us. Every photo of our "me first" party would show a crowd of people who all appear to be carbon copies of each other.
Living in our little bubble limits our view of God and causes us to label others without being curious about their hearts, their stories, and their lives. Being a real party starter requires one to be honest about who surrounds them at their table and who needs an invite, but isn't getting one.
As believers, we are called to reflect Christ's heart. People who weren't like Jesus liked Jesus. Our lives should serve as an extension of Jesus' life. And, since this is the case, it begins by welcoming all people and giving ourselves away. The more fascinated we become with the differences in people in this world, the more fascinated we become with God. Our idea of our Creator expands with every moment we spend with people not like us.
Our heart shrinks and expands to the size of its greatest concern. A party starter needs a continually growing heart. We are never more like Jesus than when we are willing to sacrifice for the sake of another person's future. How we walk with the broken is more important than how we sit with the great. People aren't projects. They are individuals who have souls and hearts, and many of them are broken and looking for healing.
When we invest in someone, our heart follows. We can't confuse the order. Everything we dream, hope for, and pray resides in how we love and serve others. If we want to thrive, we have to learn how to live for someone other than ourselves. Creating beautiful spaces always considers the guest first. It looks for ways to communicate hope and assures others that they are welcome here.
Hope isn't a strategy; hope is what we have in Jesus. And it is this hope that we are told to give away and share with those around us. We do this by being party starters. God made us to party and to impact the people we touch. We speak up for those without a voice. We leverage our voice in the right way, for the right reasons. We go the extra mile even though we don't have to. We put our agenda, wants, and desires on the back burner so that we can fast forward someone else's dream. The healing of the world and our communities begins in the parties we throw.
Reflection
Consider the people that you invite to your parties, join you at the table or appear in the photos stored on your phone. What level of diversity is present in this group? What occurs when we only surround ourselves with people just like us?
Prayer
God, may I expand my table and open up a seat to all. Rather than living my life in my own little world, open my eyes to the needs all around me. I desire for my life to serve as a party where everyone gets an invitation and is welcome. May I make much of You by the way I extend grace, love, and hope to others. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
This devotional was inspired by Stuart Hall's message from Part 2 of Sometimes It Takes A Party.
