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Come As You Are

1. Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.

2. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

John 14:1-4

This weekend my friends and I hosted a Luau for the neighborhood. It was an awesome opportunity to meet more of our neighbors and grow our ministry. We started early that day; there were food preparations, decorations and logistics to consider. As the sun rose higher the humidity, like a wet blanket, swaddled us in sweat. We worked all day to turn Kim’s front yard into a Hawaiian paradise. Palm trees and Tiki torches lined the yard, streamers and decorations surrounded the one long table in the center. It waited eagerly for the guest.

We have a diverse neighborhood, families, singles, retirees and ethnicities. Next door to me is a sweet Vietnamese family. They have four children. One is in college, two in high school and one in middle school. I have watched these children grow into beautiful young men and women. I have prayed for the family since I moved in because they are Buddhist. The mother is very devout to the Buddha.

The youngest of the Vietnamese family, Nam, was working in a neighbor’s yard and came up to me. He looked concerned.

“Neighbor?” He addressed me. (I consider this my honorary title since the entire family calls me this.)

“I have nothing to bring as a side dish, but I really want to come.”

I assured him that would be fine. I was making plenty.

A few minutes later.

“But Neighbor, I have nothing to wear to a Luau.”

I assured him that would be fine; I had extra leis and skirts.

A little bit later.

“Neighbor? If I work for you, can that be my payment for the Luau?” “You do not have to work to come, you are welcome.”

Again the young man approached me. “Neighbor, I don’t know what to do at a Luau.”

“Nam, there is nothing special to know or to do. Just come as you are and join my family.”

It put me in mind of our Father’s table. He doesn’t want you to bring a side dish, or wear something special. You don’t have to work for your place at the table He just wants you to join His family.

There is a table prepared for you.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. John 6:37