40 Acts #30 - Margins

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[/i]All of you together are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of that body. (1 Corinthians 12:27 ERV)[i] Society is often unkind to those deemed to be ‘on the fringes’. Those who have their lives ‘together’ can sometimes forget that they’re only ever three missed pay-cheques away from homelessness, or one chronic illness away from disability, or one bereavement away from single parenthood. It’s a sobering thought, but it’s one that should motivate us to gather people around us in love and show kindness to everyone – irrespective of their circumstances. A circumstance doesn’t define a person; all of us – without exception – are important to God. Three Options: Look out for someone who is marginalized today in the local supermarket, on your journey to work, or in your community, and make a point of smiling and saying hello to them. If you are not going out, do a bit of online research about disability or marginalized groups. Find out what disability/homeless/refugee services there are in your area. A search on local authority websites can help show you special schools, day centers, adult care homes and food banks. Search for other relevant charities and support groups in your area. Put them on your own and your church’s prayer list. Get together with others in your church or community, and pray about and plan how you can invite adults and children with learning disabilities or people from other marginalized groups and include them in your church.