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There are many reasons we stretch. We stretch to alleviate sore muscles, warm up before a workout, and prepare our bodies for something bigger than the present moment. As we go through life and meet people we come to love, we stretch our hearts, too, and discover our capacity to love has no limit. We stretch out our arms to reach for a friend, parent, or stranger. Just as Jesus stretched the loaves and fishes to feed the masses, we can stretch to make room for more.
In a literal sense, stretching keeps our muscles flexible so they can maintain their full range of motion. Without this, our muscles tighten, and when we ask them to move, they fall short and cannot extend fully.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus calls us to stretch our hearts through our actions. There is always more room at the table to feed the hungry and to invite those who challenge us. This stretching prepares us for the kingdom, for a King who turns no one away.
We can catch glimpses of Jesus in our daily lives: when we check in with a friend or cook a meal for someone we love. While these moments matter, they are often shared with people we already know and love. Fear or discomfort can keep us from stretching beyond our zip code. But glimpses alone don’t give the full picture. When we choose to feed, comfort, clothe, and connect with all the people God created, we meet God every day.
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