Does Our Father Have Favorites? Will I Be Left Out?

Have you ever feared as a child of God that you are going to be left out? I guess as a youngest child, I can relate to the reality of being "left out" of things. Growing up, it seemed to come around often that I was "too small to play," or "too young to come along." Perhaps this reality in my life has developed within me a tendency to believe the lie that I will be "left out." Can you relate? Now that I am older, I am no longer bound by the fear of being left out of games or events or friendships, though those too can tend to wound me. Now, I tend to slip into the fear of being left out of the awesome things that are happening in God's kingdom. There is a longing inside of me to know that Jesus has a specific plan for my life and that He will use me amidst His amazing plans to glorify God. I must admit that these fears rear their ugly head most often when I turn my gaze away from God and onto humans. I see what others are doing and begin to covet; then, I begin to fear being left "behind" or being "left out." Ultimately, I think that I fear that God has favorites, and that I am not one of them. If you are one who struggles with these fears alongside me, go with me to God's Truth. It is there that we will see the truth and be set free:

As the Lord declared to those "...carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon...'For I know the plans I have for you'..."(Jeremiah 29:4,11), so I believe we can hold onto the same declaration today: that God has a plan for us.

"Then Peter began to speak: ' I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right' " (Acts 10:34-35).

"For God does not show favoritism" (Romans 2:11).

"And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him" (Ephesians 6:9).

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism" ( Colossians 3:23-25).