Welcoming the Stranger

13Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. ~ Hebrews 13:1-2

Many of us tend to shy away from people we do not know, yet most of us have had experiences of chatting briefly in the check-out line at a store with someone who is a stranger to us. We see strangers enter our church and, instead of welcoming them, we tend to continue to speak to only those we already know. Many times, these strangers in our lives pass by never to be seen again, but God has a purpose for everything. What was the purpose of their presence in our lives at that moment that we may have missed?

Some strangers are placed in our daily lives for us to show the love of God to. They may not have a relationship with God and are in the process of seeking out His very presence to fill that void in their lives. It is our job to be there to help show them the way to a meaningful life with Jesus as their Savior. Sometimes, that stranger you are encountering is on the brink of a very dark place in their life and your kindness to them may be just the thing they need to see that there are better times ahead for them. We can be their “angel” from God to bring them back to the life God wants them to live.

Some strangers are placed into our daily routines to help remind us of God’s love for us. Our day may not be going as well as we would like, but that welcoming smile or kind word of a stranger may be just the thing to help turn our day around. They can be the “angels” God has sent to us to remind us that He cares about us and that He has not left us alone to deal with our troubles by ourselves.

What can you do today to show hospitality to a stranger? How can you be an “angel” to someone you do not know? Maybe you can “pay it forward” at the fast food drive-up window by paying for the meal behind you. Make it a point to speak to the stranger that enters your church this Sunday or is in the check-out line with you. You may not only be their “angel”, but perhaps they may be your “angel” as well.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Help me to be Your “angel” to those I do not know, and may I recognize the “angels” You send to be in my life for those short moments You are reminding me that You are with me always. Amen.

~ Wendy Miller