Being new isn't easy and unfortunately we aren't very good at making it easier for people. The early church wasn't great with new people either. The Jewish Christians had a hard time accepting in the Gentile Christians. It could have been for a thousand different reasons, but whatever they were, they weren't making being new easy. I love what Jame's response to the situation was.
Acts 15:19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."
This week at Awake we talked about how we make it difficult for new people. We aren't great at welcoming in new faces. On a good day we might say hi, but rarely do we truly engage people we don't know. Sometimes it's awkward, sometimes we are insecure or nervous, but none of that compares to what they are feeling. We have to do better.
The reality is they are coming from a world that is hostile to them and they are looking for hope, acceptance and ultimately God! Why would we do anything to make that harder? We should be making it easier. This should be the one place that's known for welcoming new people. We have to do better.
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