God’s Heart for Misfits and the “Wild Ones”
Scripture
“Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’”
– Luke 14:23 (NKJV)
Devotion
Pastor Darren shared that he keeps a list hidden in his Bible—a long list of “misfits” he’s asking God to send: prostitutes, addicts, hunting dog junkies, hot rod enthusiasts, latte drinkers, pocket knife collectors—everyone from every walk of life.
Who’s not on that list? “Church people,” as he put it. Not because God doesn’t love the already-saved, but because the mission is to go after the lost “at whatever cost.”
Jesus’ parable in Luke 14 shows a master who refuses to host an empty banquet. When the invited guests make excuses, he doesn’t cancel the feast; he expands the guest list:
Pastor Darren’s heart is simply echoing heaven’s heart: “There is still room.” There is room at God’s table for the ones we’d never expect to see in church. The question is whether we will share God’s passion for them—or become like Pharisees who protect their comfort instead of pursuing the lost.
If we truly believe Jesus left the 99 to go after the 1, then we must be the kind of people who are willing to leave our comfort zones to find those 1s too.
Reflection
1. Who are the “misfits” or “wild ones” in your world you’ve silently written off as unlikely to come to Jesus?
2. How do your attitudes toward certain people groups line up—or clash—with the heart of Luke 14?
3. Ask God to put three specific names on your heart today who are far from Him. Write them down and begin to pray for them daily.
“Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’”
– Luke 14:23 (NKJV)
Devotion
Pastor Darren shared that he keeps a list hidden in his Bible—a long list of “misfits” he’s asking God to send: prostitutes, addicts, hunting dog junkies, hot rod enthusiasts, latte drinkers, pocket knife collectors—everyone from every walk of life.
Who’s not on that list? “Church people,” as he put it. Not because God doesn’t love the already-saved, but because the mission is to go after the lost “at whatever cost.”
Jesus’ parable in Luke 14 shows a master who refuses to host an empty banquet. When the invited guests make excuses, he doesn’t cancel the feast; he expands the guest list:
- The sick, lame, poor, and broken come first
- Then the order goes out again: “There is still room. Go further. Compel them to come in.”
Pastor Darren’s heart is simply echoing heaven’s heart: “There is still room.” There is room at God’s table for the ones we’d never expect to see in church. The question is whether we will share God’s passion for them—or become like Pharisees who protect their comfort instead of pursuing the lost.
If we truly believe Jesus left the 99 to go after the 1, then we must be the kind of people who are willing to leave our comfort zones to find those 1s too.
Reflection
1. Who are the “misfits” or “wild ones” in your world you’ve silently written off as unlikely to come to Jesus?
2. How do your attitudes toward certain people groups line up—or clash—with the heart of Luke 14?
3. Ask God to put three specific names on your heart today who are far from Him. Write them down and begin to pray for them daily.