It is week five of the #BoundlessChallenge2k18 and summer is flying by. Somehow we are halfway through July!
Have you made a connection at work or with friends around you this summer? As an intern here at Focus on the Family, I’ve gotten the chance to do life with other young adults who are also interning. We don’t do everything together, but their friendships have made this summer really special. Doing activities planned by our coordinator is great, but some of the best memories came from events planned by interns. While you’re likely not an intern, you do have co-workers, people from your church, neighbors, and others in your life — some of which may be hurting or broken and could use a friend. So, what if you scheduled a hangout? Better yet, what would it look like if you planned, scheduled and provided everything for the event?
Week five starts now!
Challenge #5 details: Invite people over for a meal hosted by you. Invite your co-workers or neighbors or friends — or a combination of the various groups. Maybe it’s in your home, or maybe it’s a picnic at a park. Maybe the meal is a 5-course dinner, maybe it’s sandwiches or maybe it’s just coffee and dessert (granted, coffee and dessert isn’t a full meal, but you get the idea). Be creative with details and intentional with your invites.
Photo guidelines: This one is pretty straightforward. Snap a photo of your group enjoying the food. Tell us about who you invited and what you ate. Make sure you post it on Instagram and remember to tag @BoundlessTeam and use #BoundlessChallenge2k18. Be creative with captions, camera angles and filters! To be eligible to win this week’s prize (a Boundless T-shirt!), post your photo before next Monday, July 23!
To go above and beyond, don’t buy takeout! (I know for many that was a real sucker punch — who wouldn’t want Buffalo Wild Wings.) Sorry, put extra effort into it and gain a sense of accomplishment.
The Power of Sharing a Meal
Jesus often sat down to eat meals with those around Him, especially the lost. In Mark 2:13-17, Jesus took time to have a meal at Levi’s house, the tax collector. The text explains there were many tax collectors and sinners at the table that night.
The Pharisees questioned the disciples, asking why Jesus would share a meal with such people. Jesus’ response: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus wasn’t at Levi’s house to condemn those people. He was there to seek and save the lost, for that is why He came.
Let’s follow His example. Show those around you love. One practical step is sharing a meal and building relationships.