Everyone Has a Place

Tommi Kinnunen  |  The Voice of Zion August 2026 - Round the Table article --

From the youngest children in Sunday school to elders in quieter stations of life, all of us are called to serve one another using the gifts God has given us. Service involves showing care and reflecting God’s love, particularly in our interactions with others. Every gathering is an opportunity to make others feel welcome, especially newcomers, and to remind one another that each of us is valued and loved as a child of the same Father. In God’s kingdom, each of us has a place to be, and a place to serve.

People are naturally social creatures. From a young age, children try to find their place in a group as they learn to connect and interact with others. Sunday school or services might be a child’s first experience navigating how to fit into a larger group outside their own family. Exploring social dynamics within the comfort and care of God’s kingdom is a wonderful way for children to learn how to interact with peers and fit into a group. Social development follows a natural course as they grow. But even in God’s congregation our fallen nature can cloud the God-given desire to belong. For example, we may try to elevate ourselves by putting someone else down, or by excluding others. Such treatment and exclusion aren’t always overtly cruel. Often, especially among older children and adults, they can take the form of silence and ignoring a person, sometimes simply with a lack of smiles, being unwelcoming or withholding kindness.

Most young people naturally (and fortunately) form a tight bond with their peers, their fellow believers. They explore the outside world together, hanging out around town and engaging in group activities. Together, they may be tempted to tease, insult or otherwise mistreat others who are not part of their group. They may even be tempted to respond or take revenge as a group when someone else mistreats one of them. But no matter how justified we may feel our actions to be, mistreating another person is never acceptable. Whether we call it bullying or something else, the effect is the same: someone is hurt. 

Apostle Paul writes, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:17–21, NIV).

God’s Word calls us to recognize and care for those who may be overlooked. Following the Fifth Commandment, we are to help and comfort our neighbor in every way. Jesus is our example: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29, NIV). He sought out those who were most ignored: Zacchaeus, little children, lepers and others who were considered unclean or undesirable. Jesus approached them with love and kindness, offering God’s grace to them. Jesus teaches us that Christian love is active, not passive; it is to notice those who are often unnoticed, to speak words of kindness and care, and to extend hands of welcome.

From time to time, each of us can feel excluded, sometimes even in our home congregation. We may find ourselves sitting alone at a gathering, or we may feel uneasy or misplaced in a Sunday school class, or we may wonder if we truly belong. Among the larger group, inner circles form naturally, often without cruelty. This usually happens through patterns of seating, impromptu invitations or shared interests. In this area, adults have an opportunity to set a good example. If adults exclude or favor others based on social norms, family or interest, children learn to do the same. On the other hand, if children see adults noticing those who are often overlooked and extending kindness and inviting others into their circles, children see the love of Christ at work and learn by that example as well.

Our words carry weight. Proverbs tell us that gracious words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healing to the body. In contrast, cruel words or even silence can hurt deeply. The childhood rhyme, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is not always true. Sometimes words cut deeply and leave lasting scars. Thus, we are called to speak kindly, to be “kindly affectionate” in our speech, even when it’s difficult, or when someone has caused us personal pain (Rom. 12:10). But what does “kindly affectionate” mean? As people embedded in social networks, we routinely show courtesy and respect to others as a matter of routine, or out of duty or politeness. But believers are taught to go even further, and to approach others with the mind of Christ in humility, patience and forgiveness. The “kindly affection” God’s Word speaks of is the care, kindness and goodwill that springs from Christian love. Such affection is a fruit of living faith. 

In the Old Testament, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. God remembered Joseph and blessed him, and he rose from slavery to be a powerful ruler in Egypt. When a famine swept through the region, Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt seeking help and food. Our human reasoning would justify Joseph being angry and harboring thoughts of bitterness and revenge toward his brothers, even turning his back on his brothers and sending them away empty handed. Instead, he forgave and helped his brothers. This example points to the nature of Christ, who taught us to turn the other cheek and break cycles of hurt and wrong. This is not easy. Nevertheless, it is central to a life rooted in faith. It reflects God’s character.

Our actions express our love and care. We are called to notice those in need – those with the least strength or status – and offer help with a generous and kind heart. For example, when a small child asks about a homeless person, we can teach compassion rather than judgment. Faith is not only words; it is also deeds. God’s Word reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). This does not mean that we can earn our soul’s salvation in any way through our own works, but rather that the fruits of faith are made visible to others through our words and deeds. Good works are gifts from God, and not of ourselves. Each act of kindness, each invitation we extend, each word spoken with love, regardless of if it is toward a believer or toward those outside of God’s Kingdom, shows the mind of Christ.

A message we can give anyone – child or adult – is simple: everyone matters. Everyone can belong. God made each one of us. God loves each one of us. Each believer has a place in the family of God. Our shared sense of belonging will always require our attention and care. May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts so that our speech and actions reflect the love of Christ and that we see, welcome and value each person we encounter, especially those of the household of faith.