My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,”  have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

The busy meeting room was overflowing with conversations and the scent of hairspray. Well-esteemed guests and dignitaries were sipping sparkling water and eating tiny hors d’oeurves from crystal plates.

In walks a man, shambled at best. The crowd instantly turns their gaze toward him.

“Who let him in here?”

“He does not belong.”

“What is he wearing?”

He hears the murmuring, and it is hurtful. He keeps his head down and continues to walk, dodging hateful stares the whole way.

He makes his way straight toward the microphone and begins speaking. He reveals himself as the CEO of their company and begins to give his keynote address. He reminds the attendees that they are more than what they appear to be on the outside and that how they treat those who look different than them, matters a great deal. We see this in many places throughout the scriptures.

In the second chapter of Samuel, we find the story of Mephibosheth. We don’t hear that name in many of our modern-day baby name books, but with this man, there was a great lesson to be learned. The Bible says that he was lame in both of his feet. David saw his value and invited him to the table. Mephibosheth had a place, despite his brokenness. In fact, it was partially because of it that he was so well-loved.

Judas sat at the table, though Jesus already knew he would betray him. Jesus sat at tables with sinners and broke bread with them, though He knew some would turn away from Him. Tables can be special places because our Savior always makes space for everyone there.

The people you encounter may look disheveled, unkempt, and unworthy by the world’s standards, but they have a place at the table. You may even feel this way because of your past or what you have walked through. Outlaws, outliers, and outcasts all belong in the Kingdom. We all have sinned and fallen short, but His grace is still amazing and available. God is in the business of rebuilding beautiful. Take heart, friend. You belong.

Rachel Skirvin is a lover of travel, nachos, and the gospel. She is a graduate of Urshan College and will most likely always call it Gateway. She is pursuing her master’s degree in counseling and human services with an emphasis in trauma and crisis and is currently serving at The Pentecostals of Cooper City in South Florida