JanBeek

Who is “the stranger”?

Leviticus 19:33-34

“When a foreigner (stranger – xenox) resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself…”

Following the reading of that scripture this past Sunday in church, our pastor, Rev. Steve Hundley, spoke to us about the issue of strangers…. people who are different from us… folks we don’t know yet.

As usual, I took my sermon notes in poetry. This is what I heard him say through my poetic filter:

There’s been a barrage of news
This week about how we can’t get along.
Our Utopian society idea of equality
Is a myth; we can’t seem to join in song.

Xenophobia – the fear of the stranger –
Is rampant in our society today.
But the Bible tells us clearly
To love the stranger in every way.

Provide the stranger with food and care.
Treat the stranger with hospitality.
Yes, the stranger is different from us,
But she or he is more like you and me.

When we fail to notice someone,
When we treat them like they’re not,
Remember this lesson from Leviticus:
Love all people as you’ve been taught.

God can turn the world around
One heart, heart-by-heart, at a time.
God can take away our fear of strangers.
“Different” is not a crime.

We may harbor an innate need to feel
Superior to those around us,
But Jesus taught, “No, you’re not better
Than all the strangers who surround us.”

We all are strangers somewhere.
We all are different and have need.
But God says, “Love the stranger!”
Love or hate? Which do you feed?

Feed the stranger with love! <3

Mmmm… I had a hamburger for my lunch today.
First hamburger I have had in ages.
It was so delicious, oozing with cheese and yummy sauce.
I would love to have shared it with you!

#hugs4happiness – and I’d love to share a hug with you, too.
We’re not strangers! We’re fellow humans, traveling this earth together.
And we’re doing the best we can to love one another.
God says we gotta step up the pace, though. Show that love more fully.

Our love may be small and superficial compared to
The wonderful, magnificent, perfect love of God.
But, in our own small, imperfect way, we gotta keep trying.
Love the stranger. In the process you know, you may be…

… entertaining angels!

The Bible tells us so!

Psalm 91:11

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;…”

Beware!
That stranger just might be
God’s angel sent to guard you!

Love the Stranger!