Strangers among us

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:1-3 NIV)

I’m not very courageous when it comes to meeting random strangers. Wednesday night one of those random strangers appeared in the middle of our praise/worship team practice before the church service. He came in very friendly, enthusiastic to talk with us, and, well, not quite right. He didn’t “get” the social cues that we were rehearsing and he was interrupting. We chatted with him briefly, and then one by one several of the men around the church appeared, and one sat with him a long time, talking and praying with him. I didn’t know what was “wrong” with him, but his presence there was strange. Mentally ill? High on drugs? Demon possessed? Maybe any or all. (And maybe just my overactive imagination, I wondered.)

He stayed, watching and listening, through our practice, through pre-service prayer and through much of the church service. The security men in our church were alert to him, and the one who talked and prayed with him was especially near, not assuming he would do anything wrong, but ready to take action if needed. While I don’t want to live in fear of strangers, I am also aware that some strangers can be dangerous. Between fear and foolishness lives the wisdom to be alert, discerning, and ready to minister to people where they are. Thankfully, our church was prepared for that.

During the sermon that evening, among other things, our pastor was challenging us to make room for the newcomers God is sending. Our church culture is such that most newcomers feel not only warmly welcomed but loved; church people are not only friendly, but genuine in conversation and care for new people. But, sometimes we need to be reminded of the little things that make a big difference, like parking in the back parking lot to leave room in the front one for guests, or like leaving the back rows of chairs for latecomers and guests. These can seem like small and unimportant things, but little things we do can make our local church more hospitable to guests and strangers among us.

Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:7-8 NIV). Freely giving up a favored parking space or chair is a small “sacrifice” for a stranger. Are we, like the man who talked and prayed with the stranger, willing to freely give up time and our own plans in order to minister to hurting people? Do we remember, pray for, and minister to those who are spiritually imprisoned, mistreated, and suffering? Are we prepared to be used by God so that people can be healed and saved? Are we intentionally, prayerfully, and with discernment showing hospitality to strangers, irrespective of how “strange” they may be?

How far will we go to see the strangers in our midst healed, cleansed, freed from demons, and brought into the Abundant Life of Christ?

Good questions.

God,

You are our rock, fortress and deliverer, the one in whom we take refuge, our shield, stronghold, light and salvation. Thank you, Jesus, that you have come to seek and save the lost. Thank you that you want to all come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and live the Abundant Life you have created for us. Holy Spirit, empower your Church to go and make disciples, heal the sick, free the demonized, do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Help us to listen to your Voice, show hospitality to strangers, and act not with fear but with discernment, courage and love towards all those around us. You are our strong fortress, and we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10 NIV)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 NIV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)