For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
–1 Corinthians 12:12-13
As General George Westmoreland was surveying his troops in Vietnam several years ago, he was talking to some paratroopers. And he asked one of them, “Do you like to jump out of these planes?” That paratrooper replied, “Yes, sir! I love it!” He walked to the next one and asked the same question. The reply was, “It’s the greatest experience of my life, sir!”
He came to another young man and said, “Son, do you like jumping out of these planes?” The young man said, “No, sir, not particularly.” So the General replied, “Well, then why do you do it?” He said, “Because I like being around people who love to jump!”
When I walk into church every Sunday morning, I see two main groups. There are the “churched” people, who are immersed in the church culture and know how to look the part. Then I see another group who many might consider to be the “outsiders,” who may look and talk differently. They may not resonate 100% with the church culture, but they want to connect and worship with others no matter what.
The question is this: Which group belongs in church? Both do! So whether you’re well-immersed in the culture of church or might consider yourself more of an outsider, you are welcome among the people of God!
WHETHER YOU LIKE THE “FEEL” OF CHURCH OR NOT, THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT YOU CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO LOVE JESUS AND WORSHIP IN COMMUNION WITH THEM!
