I’m a party person. I love celebrations of any kind. I even like hosting them. I plan and plan for weeks until things are just right. Then the day comes and even if everything is just as I imagined, nothing seems to feel right. It’s like the image in my head is totally different than the reality of it. Have you ever experienced this?
If so, you know what being let down feels like. It can be pretty difficult to keep your head up. I have a scrap piece of paper on my desk at work that says, “Jesus always had time for people.” Do you know why it is there? Because it’s not about the party favors, or the food. It’s not even about the invitation list or number in attendance. It’s about who is in attendance.
Every single person that shows up for the party, even if it is only one, is worth a huge celebration. They are important. Of course, they are, you invited them! And just because a feeling left you unfulfilled doesn’t mean they should be dismissed. This is the same idea in which we are received into God’s family.
Can you imagine the elaborate plans that he has set into motion? Jesus says that there is plenty of room for everyone. But can you imagine how disappointing it is when maybe only half of the guests show up? Yet, Heaven rejoices over each one of us that does come and doesn’t dwell on who hasn’t shown up.
If you think that you are not important or that you can’t live up to someone’s standards, then remember that you were so important that God sent his son to die for you. That my friend’s is a crazy amount of love, a crazy amount of value placed on you. You are like a precious gem, a priceless treasure, a one of a kind, and because you are, you are so incredibly loved!
Monica Swank 