Left Out!

By Crystal Drake

Have you ever felt left out of something?  Maybe it was a party, a special event or just a friend get together.  For some reason, they didn’t invite you.  You feel a little sting and you begin to wonder if perhaps you did something offensive to cause this injustice.  Your mind begins to search back and the little rainbow wheel in your head is turning just like the one on your computer.  It hurts to be left out.  We all try to pretend that it doesn’t matter and that we’re fine.  But deep down, there’s a nagging sting that keeps presenting itself to our mind for several days afterwards.  Why does it matter so much?  Why can’t we just let it roll off the proverbial duck’s back?  I think the answer might be that we take it personally.  We tend to believe that it was intentional and that we just aren’t valued or liked or good enough to be invited.  When in fact, many times, it truly wasn’t even personal.  It was simply an oversight, or an intentional decision made for a reason that has nothing to do with us personally.  Regardless of the reason, learning how to shake these things off quickly is key to maintaining our joy and our confidence.  It also keeps us from forming grudges against people, which is not what we are called to do as Christians.

I know someone who is able to do this pretty well.  She was recently slighted in something that could have easily ended a friendship.  But, she decided not to let it affect her.  She came up with a list of reasons why she was better off for not being included.  For example, maybe you don’t have to worry about attending the event that is miles away, you don’t have to get a babysitter, you don’t have to buy a gift or a new dress, or you don’t have to be anxious about doing something you didn’t want to do in the first place…all because you weren’t invited.  If you choose to change your perspective when you feel left out, it can seriously help you ignore the sting.  We should realize that we too, have probably left someone out before.  We may not have even realized it, but perhaps we hurt someone else.  If we want forgiveness then we have to give it also. 

I once received an invitation to the Florida Sunshine Ball hosted by Governor Rick Scott and his wife that was being held in Washington, D.C..  I wasn’t sure why I received it, but it made me feel very special and important and I saved the invitation.  One day I was looking at it again and I felt compelled to re-write the invitation.  This is what I wrote:

The Governor of the World and His Son

Request the honor of your presence at the

Eternal Heavenly Ball

Date & time established but not revealed

Glory Auditorium

Air transportation will be provided

Your RSVP has already been received & you are on the guest list

Invitations are non-transferable

Black tie not required

New clothing will be provided upon arrival

Event is sponsored by ‘I Am’ a/k/a your Father

We all receive this invitation, but many of our friends and family have not sent their RSVP back yet.  If you’ve already secured yours, then get up and go talk to someone that you want to see there and help them get theirs sent in asap.   This is the only function we should be concerned about attending, the rest are merely social events.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things on earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”  If you don’t get invited to the event, create your own party and refuse to get caught in the trap of offense.  You’re smarter than that and there are more invitations to extend!