(A first Friday post from Paul Merrill)

Jesus knew that.

We tend to forget it.

Consider ways you can step outside your little world and reach out to those who know (or don’t know) they need help.

“The tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people – even eating with them!” (Luke 15:1-2)

When was the last time you hung out with people who may be on the fringes of your society, people who “spiritual people” might regard with disapproval? I need to ask myself this. I work at home and don’t have much chance to mingle with anyone beyond church on the weekends and my family. It takes special effort to see people outside those small circles.

So, here are a few ideas for you – and for me:

1. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Actually get to know someone there. Learn of their struggle and joys.

2. Make friends with an international student at your local university or college. They may not have ever gotten to know any locals. You can open up your world for them. (This is one that my wife and I have done. It’s truly a mutually beneficial experience.)

3. Go to a local restaurant or coffee house or bar. Become friends with one of the regulars or servers.

4. Bring some homemade cookies to your neighbor that you know is having problems. Listen carefully to what they have to say.

5. Offer English lessons to the residents of an apartment complex in your town. Put up a flyer in the laundry room. I promise there are some immigrants there who will accept help with English. There are many materials available from Amazon to help you teach, with even no training.

Let’s do it. Jesus would.