Come Sit With Me…

Four words that hold the power of belonging.  As children in the lunchroom yearn to hear these words, the sentiment travels with us through time.  To belong.  We have all, at one time in our lives, been the one on the outside looking in.  Desiring to be included.  Yearning to hear those words – come sit with us.  The emotion invoked by a simple invitation has the power to restore hope and strengthen relationships.  There is within each person a strong desire to belong in the “us”.  For belonging brings with it the privilege of love and friendship.  We desire to belong in our social circle, our professional group and of course our families.  A place to land and be understood.  God created us to be social beings by the fact that he sought to find Adam a mate in the garden. Whether or not we want to admit it, the desire to be gathered together with people who accept us and love us brings us joy. 

Consider these words individually –

Together these words collecively evoke an image of togetherness and oneness. Our words have the potential to impact those around us.  It is through the use of language that others come to know us, and the messages we create with our words can change lives.  Come sit with me.  Come be part of the “us”.  Four simple words that often go unsaid as we move about our busy lives in a hurry to get to the next place. 

When I think back through the events of Jesus’ life, he never seemed to be in a hurry.  From the time he was twelve and spent three days at the temple (Luke 2:46) to the feeding of the five thousand at a time when he was trying to find some down time but instead, had compassion on the people, healed and fed them (Matthew 14:13-21).  He understood the power of his words and the need for each of us to feel connected.  His name alone means “God with us” – a coming together, a promise of inclusion and belonging.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Matthew 1:23 (ESV)

Jesus waits for us to come sit with Him as well.  He has extended the invitation. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)

He is saying – Come sit with me, let me take your burden, let me carry your load, and he patiently waits for us to put it down. Take the time to sit and be joined in the “us” with Jesus who is the founder and perfecter of faith.

“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)