One of them . I don’t think God said it that way. I imagine the Trinity in a family conference, discussing the plight of their beloved fallen creation, stressing a different word in the phrase. One of them. “I’ll become one of them,” Jesus offered. It’s all in the italics. If Jesus had said “one of them ,” it would have pulled Him down into our shame. Instead, He lifted us up into His glory. And so He became one of us. He lived our life, pain and limitations with us, and then had the connection He needed to pull us out of it. I’ve found myself knocking on a lot of doors these past few years. Introducing myself. Offering an apology, a request to pray together, a box of donuts, a grocery gift card. All to people I would have once considered a them , but through unexpected (and unasked-for) twists in my life path, I find myself one . This is where I choose to either look down on them as a beneath-me people group, or see them as created treasures on a difficult life path. This is where I choose to enter their shame or pull them up into my glory. The glory which is mine because Jesus pulled me up into His . This, my dear nieces and nephews, is the heart of The Gospel. And it will be the theme of our quarterly Camp Fire event this Sunday. “Winter Embers, A Beach Party” is a 6-hour sample of our summer camp. We’ll heat up the house, wear shorts and play beach games. Then we’ll worship till we encounter the Holy Spirit and let Him challenge and equip us to live the Great Commission. The teaching will be Rated G in content but not in Holy Spirit. Kids don’t need watered-down challenges. Their young hearts ache for the full-on opportunity to love and be loved. You can sign up for it using the following link if you’re Age 7 or up. (Yes, older is fine as long as you’re not offended by simplicity; we just might put you to work.) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0548A8A72CABFE3-54544043-winter When I was little, my parents would lead us in singing the following song at our home church in Cambridge, and it has gripped my heart ever since. It begins with the Father asking this of Jesus: “Will you be poured out as wine upon the altar for Me? Will you be broken as bread to feed the hungry? Will you be so one with me that I may do just as I will … To make you light and love and life, my will fulfilled?” Jesus then responds: “Yes, I’ll be poured out as wine upon the altar for you. Yes, I’ll be broken as bread to feed the hungry. Yes, I’ll be so one with you that you may do just as you will To make me light and love and life, thy will fulfilled.” Then Jesus turns to us and asks us the same question His Father asked Him . And he gives us the chance to respond in kind. When I’ve said yes, it’s because I’ve had no idea what it was going to look like. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had the courage. But I’m glad. As much as I’ve disliked the process of becoming one of them, I’m grateful for how He’s used it to make me more like Him. Hope to see you Sunday! Aunt Michelle