Left Out of “Where it’s at”

The Big Lie We’re missing out on life because we’re left out Life is passing us by (while it happens to “those people”) We’re not “where it’s at”

Jesus thoughts on the big lie There’s no such thing You’re in the middle of life, life is all around you, the kingdom of God is near you (in you, among you) Especially you who are poor, sad, and left out

Jesus’ examples of people living life Widow generous with her last penny Samaritan woman with shady past Crazy homeless guy living in cemetery Sick woman who touches his coat in a crowd Fishermen who aren’t catching fish All kinds of people humble enough to ask for help

“Where it’s at” is not where it’s at Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” – Luke

Stay engaged with life – avoid: Wanting someone else’s life Focusing on what you don’t have Don’t define “where it’s at” by what is popular, advertised, “sexy”... Stuff, busyness, competition, screens, substances & other addictions What the TV and internet says is “Life” is probably not Life

Stay engaged with life... Ask yourself if fears are getting in the way of engaging with the life you’re in the middle of Could you face those fears? Ask for help facing them?

Engage life Believe (trust) that you really are in the middle of life – even when you’re alone “Blessed are those who are left out because you will be more available to those who need your love” Trusting and engaging with the real life around you makes you more available to others

1 Timothy A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

1 Timothy Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.

As we see the week stretched out before us, in all of its mystery and predictability, we give it to You, and ask that You would walk with us through the minutes and hours, keeping us awake and available to You and to each one that will cross our paths.