BFB-The Stretch Devotional & Guide 2026 - Flipbook - Page 19
REACH OUT | STRETCHING TOWARD OTHERS
DAY 11: CROSSING BOUNDARIES
ANDRE P. HARRELL II (L.A.)
JOHN 4:7-30 (NLT)
Reflection:
Reaching out requires going first;it means crossing boundaries even when you would
rather stay comfortably in place.
Expanded Focus:
The first time I heard that my family was moving from innercity Detroit to the Sunshine
State, as you can imagine, my initial thought was Disney, beaches, and water parks. When
we arrived, I quickly realized the Gulf Coast had much more to offer than beaches and the
infamous Destin Big Kahunas. Moving from one state to another felt like crossing
boundaries, and that crossing made me see Florida differently. This crossing also evolved
my former relationship with where I had come from.
In Detroit, I spent time with people who looked like me. My schools, church, and inner
circle all reflected my own preferences, and I was comfortable. But God wanted to give
me a new perspective. As the hands and feet of Jesus, our faith journey leads us to reach
beyond familiar places and accept those we once overlooked.
In John 4:7-30, we see Jesus look past the Samaritan woman's faults and reveal who He is
to her. Culturally, a Jewish man would have nothing to do with a Samaritan woman, yet the
love of Jesus crossed that boundary. If we are going to be a church that reaches out, we
must be willing to be like Jesus and go forth, seeing others as God sees them.
To reach out, we must guard our hearts against offense and focus on unity. People may
have hurt you, said hateful things, or have opposing political or social views—but go
anyway. Go because God asks you to. Sometimes God sends us first to challenge false
narratives, like they are too far gone. Some people may ignore our invitations and flyers,
but will respond to our love. From afar, they may see the church as a place of judgment or
shame; we must offer a new narrative. We must show God's love. Let’s move beyond our
comfort and reach out, letting the
