Left Out

You know that feeling, of being left out? We all get it, whether it's personal, like at work, with family or friends.  Or it might be general, like feeling left out of a demographic - maybe a stay at home mom, or no longer considered "young"!

I was thinking about this the other day.  From childhood, and still in adulthood, this feeling creeps in, and can cause discontent and even jealousy.  So, I asked God about it, and he brought the disciples to mind.

Jesus had 12 disciples.  These were the chosen few, from the numerous followers that had put their faith in him as the Messiah.  These 12 were with him even when he wanted to escape the crowds.  They were close.  So I wonder how the other 9 guys felt when, as Matthew records in chapter 17 of his gospel, "Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves."

Then, in the evening of his arrest, when they all went to the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36) "  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him"

Again, Jesus took the 3 with him.  There is no account of any grumbling among the others.  They don't complain to Jesus about being excluded from this trip.  The others don't abandon their commitment.

So, if the disciples, who presumably had a great desire to be close to Jesus, were able to set aside their own position and not descend into resentment, how can we?

I believe the answer lies in who they sought validation from.  They were not looking at each other (or at least not constantly), comparing the position of the other disciples.  They felt validated as individuals because Jesus had let them know that he loved them.  He loved them despite their sin and weaknesses.  And in that brings the freedom.

When we are focused on receiving validation from those around us, we are subject to the behaviors and choices of others.  Yet, when we are secure in our position as a beloved child of God, we should take peace in that. 

Yes, situations may occur where we are tempted to feel left out, bringing hurt, anger and resentment.  However, we can, and should seek to resist that temptation and go to God for the reassurance that we need.  He has promised to never leave us, or forsake us, and has also promised that we will share in the inheritance of Christ, as if adopted brothers and sisters.  We will not be left out.

For the disciples, the chosen few were given greater responsibility.  Jesus needed a core team to lead the church after his return to Heaven.  He couldn't explicitly explain this to the group, they simply had to trust him, and be thankful that they were among his followers.