God's Guest List

"God's guest list includes a disconcerting number of poor and broken people, those who appear to bring little to any gathering except their need." Christine Pohl

Jesus said: “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14 (NIV)

That doesn't look like any guestlist Pat and I have put together lately. This text raises several perplexing questions: How do I determine a person's value? What criteria do I use? What is my value, really? What do I bring to any gathering, except my need? How do I decide who gets an invitation? How can I begin to think more like Jesus? What would have to change in my life if I did? How do I make space for those with the greatest needs? Pohl is right, it is disconcerting.