I was once invited to an authors’ party in London. It was a posh affair with caviar and oysters and a private view of a fashion exhibition. Celebrities milled through the crowd and everyone else looked like a celebrity due to their chic fashion sense.
I was alone and couldn’t find the one contact I knew was attending the gala. Forty-five minutes later I was still standing by myself, feeling out of place and on the fringe.
Have you ever noticed how Jesus sought out people on society’s fringe—those out of place and lonely? He brought lepers back into the neighborhood (Mark 1:40-45). He drew children (that others were trying to turn away) into the spotlight (Mark 10:13-16). He focused on the disregarded and arranged dinner parties for the despised (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 19:1-10). Jesus drew those on the fringe back into community.
This is powerfully illustrated in Jesus’ dealings with a demon-possessed man. The man was on the fringe, isolated from society because of his violence and self-abuse (Mark 5:3-5). Jesus went out of His way to meet him, venturing into Gentile territory (Mark 5:1). He freed the man of the demons that were tormenting him, and then He sent him home to reunite with his family (Mark 5:8-19).
I decided to leave the authors’ party early. As I was about to leave, I heard someone call my name. It was Rose, my contact, who had been looking for me. Rose introduced me to others and I ended up remaining at the party all evening.
My experience of isolation that night reminds me of this truth: In most crowds there are people on the fringe who don’t fit in and can’t find their way “in” to the “party.” May the love of Jesus fill our hearts so that we’ll go out of our way to bring them in.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 2:1-25
More:
Read Psalm 68:5-6 and consider God’s heart for those on the fringe.
Next:
Who sits alone at church that you can befriend? At your next party, how will you reach out to those who stand alone? How has God drawn you out of isolation?
Gary Shultz on June 18, 2016 at 6:36 am
Right you are Sheridan. Christ always seemed to pick up the crumbs of society. If society had wrung them out of they burnt through life, Christ knew a hurting heart was an unsettled heart. In many cases those that are the “life of the party” would never be willing to consider the call of Christ, life is too good. Fringies have experienced some of life’s dents, what an awakening event that may or could be. I must agree with you, these people are often those that need to hear the good news. Thanks Sheridan
gagirllive on June 18, 2016 at 8:47 am
Sheridan, even with all the social networking we have, loneliness is still of epidemic proportion. We sort of categorize those whom we think are obviously living on the fringes of society—the homeless, the addict, the diseased, etc., but as the Psalm 68 passage stated, the widow and the fatherless are among them as well. No one is exempt, really. We are all born as orphans…outside the family of God. We are the walking dead apart from the life-giving spirit of Christ, residing in the burial caves of this fallen, broken world. But Christ came for us. Yes, He sets the lonely in families. If we have experienced this marvelous grace, our hearts should long to invite others into this circle of matchless love. No matter what station in life they may be in, every lost soul is living on the fringes of life. And as you pointed out, people within the Body of Christ can feel isolated and alone, too. Sadly, much of the western church has learned to live independently of each other, and therefore, does not experience community as it was meant to be experienced. May we pay attention to the lonely hearts around us and invite them into the fellowship of God’s love and grace. Your devos are beautiful and they always inspire me. Thanks, Sheridan.
hsnpoor on June 18, 2016 at 1:39 pm
My goodness, GAgirl, you do have a way with words! I love the word picture you’ve painted here and so agree that this devotion is a beautiful reminder to all who read it. Thank you, Sheridan! I remember there was a time in my Christian journey that I actually had a real heart for finding and cultivating relationships with those on the fringe. In all honesty, I found them to be a lot more interesting than those “in the know”, if you know what I mean. Then, somehow, I wound up “specializing” in homeless ministries, which actually grew me a lot more, I’m sure, than I was a help. This devotion brought that all back and jolted me to realize how long it’s been since I’ve had any real sensitivity to either of these needs.
GAgirl, I actually think social networking, present vehicles excluded, tend to breed loneliness and isolation, rather than alleviate it. Up until a week ago, I didn’t have a Facebook account. When people asked me why, my standard answer was because I have real friends and if I spent the time it takes to keep up with the virtual ones, I’d lose the real ones. Over the past week, i realize how incredibly true that is. Does anybody know how to actually shut down a Facebook account? It sure is a heck of a lot harder than setting one up!
Regina Franklin on June 18, 2016 at 10:48 am
Sheridan,
Thank you for the reminder that we do not seek the affirmation of the crowd, but that we are called to love the forgotten, the despondent, the broken. Reputation dies at the foot of the Cross.
hsnpoor on June 18, 2016 at 8:12 pm
Sandy, aka sandy229, suffered a heart attack earlier this week and is not doing well. She asks for your prayers and I will provide updates as she updates me.
gagirllive on June 18, 2016 at 8:25 pm
Thank you so much for letting this community know, Kim. I’m sure that I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say that our heartfelt prayers are with our dear sister. Father, please lay your healing hands upon Sandy and restore your daughter to full health and strength. May You be glorified in this situation. Bring peace and comfort to Sandy and to all her loved ones around her. We trust You to always do what is right and what is best. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
hsnpoor on June 19, 2016 at 2:37 am
Powerful prayer, GAgirllive! Sandy specifically mentioned that she wanted you to know and, from that prayer, I can see why! Bless you!
Gary Shultz on June 19, 2016 at 6:19 am
Kim, I am so sorry to hear of this tragic event. Thank you for bring it to our attention and being a friend to her at this time.