Jimbo's Jots

The last of the desires, according to the Laaser’s in Seven Desires, is the desire to be included. Now you might be thinking, “Jim, didn’t we talk about this with the desire to be chosen.” “Why, yes! Yes we did! But this is different!”

The difference between the two is simply this . . . the desire to be chosen is related to individuality. I’m chosen because of who I am. Inclusion in this case is the longing to belong to something bigger than us. So it’s the “desire to be included in fellowship with God and with others.” We want to be known that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

It starts from the start of our lives as we are born into a family. Recently, I got interested in my family history. So I remembered that I had an account with ancestry.com. Let me tell you that those little green leaves can be a dangerous tool. They will send you searching and searching. But those little green leaves tell you stories of where you come from. You begin to look at how you are part of a clan, a family.

As you grow, the desire of inclusion grows through friendships, church groups, school and work. Then about how many groups you are included in. Maybe you wanted to be a part of a group when you were growing up and didn’t get “voted” in. What’s your favorite sports team? You are included in a circle of friends as a fan. What’s your favorite music type or group? You belong to a group of people that enjoy that music too.

You’re part of a church that, hopefully, invites you in and includes as a part of the family of believers. The best part is you are included in the fellowship with God. Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20, NLT) And as a part of that church family where Jesus promises to be with us, you are included in a broader circle as one of the millions of believers.

You are part of something special if you are in Christ. All that he asks in return is to help others feel included too. How cool is that!! You are invited to be included by Christ and he says to include others too. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

Be blessed and be a blessing of inclusion!!