Expand your perspective
Matt. 5:1-2: Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them… (NIV).
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum. Because this area was located at a major crossroads for people traveling north to Mesopotamia and south to Egypt, He would have preached to a diverse cross-section of humanity. Christ did not limit His interaction to the "right" people.
Sometimes it is difficult for us to move out of our "comfort zone." We gravitate to people who think, look, and act like us and miss the opportunity to interact with a wider circle. Perhaps we even see some people as being "beneath" us and are resentful when they require our time, energy, or attention. Man's tendency is to elevate himself over others in order to feel better about himself. This sense of entitlement and insecurity can be passed on to our kids.
Look for and embrace the unexpected people God brings to the crossroads of your life. Let your life be a testimony to the worth and value of all people.
