I Am TransformedSample

God Is Relational, So I Am Inclusive

God created humans with a need to belong. We are hardwired to build social connections, and those connections are important in many ways. They give us safety, motivation, acceptance, information, stability, and more.

Our need for connection is a direct reflection of God’s relational nature. From the very beginning we see God interacting with humanity in the garden of Eden. Throughout the Bible God continually speaks to people, works with people, changes people, and loves people. The greatest demonstration of God’s love for us, of course, is Jesus coming to earth. Could there be any clearer way to show that God wants to be with us? John wrote this about Jesus: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (1:14).

God doesn’t just want us to have a relationship with Him though. He wants us to have relationships with one another. Going back to Genesis, God created two people—Adam and Eve—because He said it was “not good for the man to be alone” (2:18). David wrote about God’s heart for relationship as well: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families” (Ps. 68:5–6).

God builds communities of people. That’s His nature, and it informs our need. Belonging to friend groups, church groups, work groups, or any other group is part of our nature. Part of your calling as a child of God is to be inclusive of others.

Inclusivity means keeping your heart and your mind open to people who are different from you. It doesn’t mean you have to approve of everything they do or love everything about them. You don’t have to be their best friend or give them full access to your life from day one. But you do get to love them. They will bring richness and expansion to your life that you need, and you will do the same for them.

Never close your heart to new people. Instead, be the first one to welcome others. You never know, they might become your new best friend or a potential business partner or even a romantic interest. You can’t see the future, but you can see the person in front of you. And that person needs to be welcomed and included.

Do you consider yourself open and inclusive in your relationships? Do your current friendships reflect that value?