I felt invisible. I sat in a room full of chatty women, feeling out of place. Others were being greeted or engaged. I sat alone and unacknowledged. Regretting the decision to show up, I contemplated slipping out. No one would notice I surmised.
Introduce yourself, you’re not shy….my muddled mind reasoned. So I did, to the lady on my right and my left, and that’s as far as it went. Though this happened years ago in a professional business setting, I still remember that feeling of being all alone.
I left that event thinking women are catty. Had just one person smiled or included me, I wouldn’t have felt so dejected. I resolved that in the future, I would seek out the lonely soul in the crowded room and make her feel welcome, set her at ease, and make her feel special.
How do we get so caught up in ourselves that we can’t see the uneasiness or timidity of a sister? Why is our focus streamlined to bling and importance? Why do we value some over others? Have we grown so insensitive?
I’ve often thought about the emotional damage that cliques can cause. When we advertise our girl’s night outings on Facebook, how does that make our sisters feel to know they weren’t invited? Is it possible God would want us to use discretion with our posts?
When committees are picked because of who we like to hang out with and not on the individual’s merits….how does that glorify God? When seeking to have relationships with only those who are highly respected or wealthy….how does that glorify God?
Over and over we see examples of Jesus reaching out to the outcasts, the lonely and the lowly. Repeatedly we see Him make the point that everyone matters and everyone has purpose. Even the little children were precious in Jesus’ eyes.
The bible gives us warning….
“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2:9
Plain and simple, when we show preference to certain people, we sin.
Job tells us….
We are all created equally….and God loves us each as if we were His only creation.
We dishonor God and mar our influence by picking and choosing who we deem worthy of our attention or company.
It takes Godly character to refuse getting caught up in favoritism. It takes a desire to please God and a resolve to be different.
Being left out or overlooked tends to make one withdraw. Our actions must never cause a sister to withdraw from fellowship.
In God’s economy, everyone matters.
We must never underestimate the burdens of a sister who just wants a place to belong.
A simple word of encouragement or a welcoming introduction can fill an empty emotional tank, sending that lone soul on a cruise of uplifting sentiments for days.
As Christians, our reputations will only be as Godly or ungodly as our actions.
Tell me friend, will you be the one in your group to make a sister feel like she really matters?