Whoever Can Mean You

One of the maxims I live by is the sage advice, "Better late than never." I missed linking up with the Five Minute Friday bloggers on Friday, but Monday is good, too.

We free-write for 5 minutes on a one word prompt. 

INCLUDE is the word:

GO

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)

No one likes to be left out of things. Some of my earliest memories on this journey are times of being picked for teams on the playground at school. Or, I should say, “not being picked.” Never the athletic one, I was often next to the last person to be picked for a side.

You, too?

In fact, there are many times when people feel excluded from things for many reasons: socio-economic levels, gender, ethnicity, etc. Others may put labels on us sometimes keeping us from our dreams.

There is one place, however, where you can always be included. You will never be rejected for who you are, who your ancestors were, or the labels on the back of your clothes.

I’m talking about at the cross.  Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who wants to repent from their old way of life and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be accepted. They can then walk as a child of God.

No exceptions.

I’m reminded of a song in an old hymnal. The chorus said,

“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,

Surely meaneth me, oh, surely meaneth me;

“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,

“Whosoever” meaneth me.

You are a “whoever.” You can be included.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV

STOP

If you had never heard the song, "Whosoever" Meaneth Me, I'm sharing a YouTube video of a person singing it. It's a catchy little tune that packs a punch.

(If you are a subscriber, click through to the blog to hear the song.)

And, here are the words to the song:

“Whosoever” Meaneth Me

1.    I am happy today, and the sun shines bright,

The clouds have been rolled away;

For the Savior said, whosoever will

May come with Him to stay.

o    Refrain:

“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,

Surely meaneth me, oh, surely meaneth me;

“Whosoever” surely meaneth me,

“Whosoever” meaneth me.

2.    All my hopes have been raised, oh, His Name be praised,

His glory has filled my soul;

I’ve been lifted up, and from sin set free,

His blood has made me whole.

3.    Oh, what wonderful love, oh, what grace divine,

That Jesus should die for me;

I was lost in sin, for the world I pined,

But now I am set free.

James E. McConnell, 1910

Have YOU ever felt left out of things? Do you try your best to make sure everyone is included? Something to think about ....

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I'm linking this post at the Five Minute Friday and Trekking Thru the Week communities.