07/27/2026
July 27, 2026
Devotional
A Part of the Team
Verse: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Key Verse: 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Tag Verse: Psalm 113:7,9
On noticing the unflattering behavior of adults around him, a coworker of mine sometimes notes, "He must have been picked last for kickball as a kid." While it is humorous, this quip has a bit of truth at the center. Our experience can shape who we are, even as we grow into adults.
We know adults who have allowed this mindset to guide how they interact with the world. We have seen others included or excluded based on personality, social-economic status, education, race, ethnicity, beliefs and geography, to name a few traits. Perhaps you have even been someone who has experienced this. The world liked to categorize things (yes, even people), putting people in boxes of fitting in or staying out.
Thankfully, God offers an invitation of inclusion to all people. All people have been given the opportunity to belong, to be a part of this community that is grounded in Christ. God doesn't want to look at people and immediately exclude some because of a trait or characteristic. God "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (v4). So much is this the case that Christ "gave himself as a ransom for all people" (v6).
Everyone has been extended an invitation to join.
Author: Stefanie Hendrickson
